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

8.0 Risk Management

The impact of infectious agent transmission can be reduced and prevented by using a risk assessment and management approach. A risk assessment tool, in conjunction with clinical expertise and judgement, will inform decision making around service provision and the risk to personal and client health. Speech Pathology Australia recommends all speech pathologists regularly conduct an infection prevention and control risk assessment (see Figure 9). Refer to sector-specific guidance (including workplace infection prevention and control and health and safety guidance) to manage any identified risks responsibly. Risk Management describes the cyclic process of identification, analysis (or measurement), treatment and monitoring of risk. It is an umbrella term that includes risk assessment. 112 Risk Assessment is the process and technologies used to identify, analyse and evaluate risk. It is a key component of risk management. 112 Adopting a risk assessment approach allows speech pathologists to consider particular practice settings, environments and identify how to minimise or prevent the transmission of infectious agents. This approach will inform the development and adoption of strategies, policies and procedures when considering tasks within a given context. The following general principles provide a basis for consideration: • the factors, needs and healthcare status of both individual health practitioners and clients • the environment is which the service is practiced • the task or service • how the task or service is being provided • the location and timing of service delivery • who is best placed to provide the service • the technology being utilised • what, if any, are the current risk management strategies.

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