Infection prevention and control: Guideline for speech pathologists, Version 1,2020.

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• Instrumental respiratory/aerodynamic function testing , cough reflex testing and use of inspiratory/expiratory therapy devices. This list is not exhaustive, and speech pathologists need to consider their own circumstances. It is designed to provide a practical starting point for considering speech pathology tasks in the context of infection prevention and control. If a clinical task is not listed here, it does not indicate that the principles of infection prevention and control do not apply. Take a risk management approach and consult any relevant workplace policies to identify the required precautions for a clinical task.

Table 7: Precaution Type, Transmission Method and Infectious Agent Examples

Precaution Type

Example of an infectious agent

Transmission

Hands or clothing become contaminated; devices, equipment, aids, toys, items shared person to person; contact with contaminated environmental surfaces.

Multi-resistant organisms (MROs), norovirus (causes a form of gastroenteritis), chicken pox and highly contagious skin infections /infestations (e.g., impetigo, scabies)

Contact

Expelled infectious respiratory droplets which may lead to infection of others directly through susceptible mucosal surfaces (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) or via contaminated hands. Inhalation of small particles that contain infectious agents and secondarily by evaporation of larger particles in conditions of low humidity; aerosols containing infectious agents can be dispersed by air currents (e.g., ventilation or air conditioning systems) and inhaled by susceptible individuals who have not had any contact with the infectious person; exposure to aerosols may occur from behaviours that generate aerosolised particles and when performing an AGP.

Influenza, COVID-19, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal infection)

Droplet

Measles (rubeola) virus, chickenpox (varicella) virus, M. tuberculosis, COVID-19

Airborne

Adapted from NHMRC Guidelines 9 Note: Droplet precautions need to be increased to airborne precautions when tasks involving contact with aerosolised particles are conducted, and physical distancing cannot be maintained.

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Infection Prevention and Control - Guideline for Speech Pathologists | Version 1, 2020