Infection prevention and control guidelines

6. Staff screening immunisation and infection management

Screening

      1. Screening

Screening

Routine health assessment at the start of employment could include checking for evidence of immunisation/immune status, tuberculosis, immune disorders, and skin conditions/latex allergy in accordance with state/territory guidelines.

Staff with a diagnosis that increases their risk of infection (eg cystic fibrosis) could be encouraged to disclose their diagnosis during screening before they start work, to determine the safest workplace arrangements.

Before beginning employment or a trainee placement, all staff and students should be assessed and offered testing and/or vaccination for specific infectious diseases. Particular attention should be paid to immune status, skin conditions, pregnancy status, as well as risk factors for specific groups of patients. These conditions may vary according to state- and territory-specific requirements and recommendations.

Plain-language information on infection prevention and control guidelines, including screening, could be provided to nonclinical managers who are responsible for employing new staff.

Assessment may need to be repeated and status updated during employment.

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