Hospital acquired infections are on the rise world-wide, with around 200,000 healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Australian acute healthcare facilities each year. This makes hospital acquired infections the most common complication affecting patient’s in hospital and can cause unnecessary pain and suffering for patients and their families.
To reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections being transmitted to our patients, South Perth Hospital applies an infection control risk-management framework that manages both the ‘human’ and ‘system’ factors associated with the transmission of infectious agents. This approach ensures the provision of a safe healthcare environment through the implementation of practices that minimise the risk of transmission of infectious agents.

The measures implemented to reduce the potential of hospital acquired infections include:

  • An established hand hygiene program
  • The screening of patients on admission
  • The screening and monitoring of staff to reduce the potential of disease transmission.
  • The use of gloves, gowns, and other personal protective equipment to control transmission.
  • The appropriate cleaning and/or sterilisation of all reusable instruments and equipment.
  • Staff training in Infection Prevention and Control.

Surveillance

Part of South Perth Hospital’s continuous improvement framework, is a commitment to reduce hospital acquired infections through an active surveillance program. Designed to observe, identify, manage, resolve and report any infections that occur as a result of admission to South Perth Hospital, it serves to increase our knowledge of which factors contribute to hospital acquired infections and the ways in which we can predict and minimise harm to our patients, visitors and staff.

If you have been a patient in a hospital outside of Western Australia or overseas, you will be asked about your admission to ensure that any risk of infection by microorganisms resistant to multiple antibiotics is minimised before your procedure.

To view our infection rates click here

Prevention of Post Surgery/Procedure Infections

South Perth Hospital has multiple processes and checks in place to minimize your risk of developing an infection after your surgery/procedure. You can also help to minimize your risk by taking the following actions:

Before your surgery/procedure:

  • Have a shower on the day of your procedure and wear clean clothes to the hospital.
  • Tell your surgeon/procedurist if you have any open sores or wounds, especially those near the site of your surgery/procedure.
  • Use the alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands when you arrive at the hospital.

After your surgery/procedure:

  • Keep your dressing clean and dry until you are instructed to remove it.
  • Always wash your hands before touching your wound dressing or the wound itself.
  • Wash your hands before removing the sticky dot where your drip was inserted.
  • Notify your surgeon/procedurist immediately if your wound becomes increasingly red or sore after you go home.

Hand Hygiene – Information for patient and visitors to South Perth Hospital

Hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing the spread of infections. Healthcare workers are aware of the importance of hand hygiene and are all trained in the ‘Five Moments of Hand Hygiene’.  As a patient, you can help us to prevent infections by washing your hands often and encouraging your visitors to do so when they come to visit and before they leave, and asking them to refrain from visiting if they have a cold or are unwell.  Hand hygiene is important for everyone, including healthcare workers, patients and visitors.  Hand sanitising stations are located at the entries and exits to the patient areas.

  • Healthcare workers generally use an alcohol-based hand rub as it is effective and easy to use but, if their hands are visibly dirty, they will use soap and water first.
  • Performing hand hygiene regularly reduces the risk of infection to you and others.
  • It’s okay to question healthcare workers about their hand hygiene practice

To view our Hand Hygiene rates click here

Personal Protective Equipment

In the hospital setting personal protective equipment is anything used or worn by healthcare workers to protect both themselves and the patient from the risk of transmission of any infectious diseases. The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gowns, masks and gloves is a routine part of infection prevention and control at South Perth Hospital—it is used for everybody’s safety. PPE is generally used in the patient care area, with gloves being the most frequently utilised form of protection when healthcare workers come into contact with blood or body fluids. As some gloves may contain latex, patients who are sensitive or allergic to latex should tell their healthcare workers so that an alternative glove type can be used.

Environmental Cleaning Management -Information for Patients and Visitors to South Perth Hospital.

Cleanliness in health facilities plays an essential role in preventing the spread of organisms that can cause health care associated infection. As part of our quality service and patient safety processes, South Perth Hospital has a comprehensive cleaning regime of all surfaces and equipment in the patient-care environment at South Perth Hospital. If you are a patient or visitor at the hospital please notify staff should you identify something requires cleaning.