Duration

The course will take approximately one hour to complete.

Assessments

Aseptic technique theory

Assessments relating to the learning outcomes and content appear throughout the course. Your score and quick access to all the questions are included at the end in the Assessment summary.

You need to successfully complete each assessment to gain a certificate of completion (theory component only) and recognition of 1 hour (1 point) of continuing professional development.

Aseptic technique practical competency

It is recommended that a practical competency assessment occurs after the completion of this online education. This will be at the discretion of individual organisations/Local Health Networks.

Competency assessment tools are available in the Resources section of this course.

Certificate

On successful completion of the assessments you can download a certificate of completion.

Disclaimer

This course adheres to South Australian (SA Health) guidelines and Australian National Standards.

The principles described in the course can however be applied to any health care setting.

If you practice outside South Australia it is your responsibility to refer to the specific requirements of your local health authority.

Compliance

The course aligns with National Safety and Quality Health Service, second edition – Standards 3 and 6.

Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare

The course references the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, where aseptic technique is recognised as a component of standard precautions.

Australian Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care

The course design reflects the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare National Model Clinical Framework (consumer centred, driven by information, and organised for safety).

SA Health Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection Policy

The course complies with the SA Health Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection Policy.

The following resources have been developed as part of the Aseptic Technique project and may be used by individual organisations to meet the requirements of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard 3.10 Developing and implementing protocols for aseptic technique.

Aseptic technique guide/notes
This document is a quick reference outlining the principles of aseptic technique.

7 easy steps to aseptic technique
A poster intended for display in clinical areas.

Organisational risk analysis data spreadsheet
This spreadsheet can be used to identify high risk areas for auditing purposes using the SA Health aseptic technique risk matrix.

Audit Tools

Tools to assist organisations to achieve National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard 3.10.2

• General Audit Tool
• Peripheral Intravascular Device Access Audit Tool
• Peripheral Intravascular Device Insertion Audit Tool
• Wound Dressing Audit Tool
Compliance with aseptic technique is regularly audited (Microsoft Word documents).
• Indwelling Urinary Catheter Insertion Audit Tool
• Central Line Access Audit Tool

Competency Assessment Tools

Tools to assist organisations in the practical competency assessment of clinicians (Microsoft Word documents).

• Generic Competency Assessment
• Peripheral Intravascular Device Access Competency Assessment
• Peripheral Intravascular Device Insertion Competency Assessment
• Wound Dressing Competency Assessment
• Indwelling Urinary Catheter Insertion Competency Assessment
• Central Line Access Competency Assessment

Useful Links

ACSQHC Standard Precautions poster
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

National Model Clinical Governance Framework
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) Prevention Project
Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS)

Glen’s Story
The Victorian Infection Control Professionals Association (VICPA). Government of Victoria, Australia

National Hand Hygiene Initiative Manual
National Hand Hygiene Initiative

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

Healthcare associated infection
SA Health, Government of South Australia, Australia

World Health Organisation
World Health Organisation

Course sponsors

This course was funded by the Safety and Quality Unit, SA Health and prepared by the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) in partnership with the Centre for Education and Training, Women’s and Children’s Health Network.

Course development

The development of this course was a collaborative effort. Contributors across SA Health include:

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

With particular acknowledgement to:

• Genevieve Sturman (Manager, Clinical Governance, Clinical Governance Unit, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network)
• Julie Rogers (Nurse Education Facilitator, Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research, Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network)
• Melanie Bredereck (Clinical Nurse, Repatriation General Hospital, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network)

Special thanks to the SALHN clinical experts for their input into the clinical practice videos.

Special mention also to Sally Clarke (Registered Nurse, Flinders Medical Centre), Katherine Lyons (Registered Nurse, Noarlunga Health Services), Melissa Hawkins (Infection Control Coordinator, Noarlunga Health Services) and the SALHN Clinical Services Coordinators who have been instrumental in assisting with the Aseptic Technique project.

Infection Control Service

With particular acknowledgement to:

• Wendy Peecock (RN GDNS Infec, CICP, Communicable Disease Control Branch, SA Health)

SA Health Aseptic Technique Working Party

Special thanks and acknowledgement to the Safety and Quality and Local Health Network Infection Control Professionals involved in the SA Health Aseptic Technique Working Party for their expert advice.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Department of Defence (DOD)

We acknowledge the generosity of AHRQ and DOD in permitting the use of TeamSTEPPS^® material in South Australia. TeamSTEPPS^® is an evidence based teamwork training system to improve quality and safety in health care.

Design and development team
Digital Media, Centre for Education and Training, Women's and Children's Hospital, SA Health

• Alison Russell, Director
• Peter Bailes, Education designer
• Caroline Gliddon, Graphic designer
• Erin Baldock, Graphic designer
• Chris Faulker, Multimedia developer
• Christopher Sprod, Photographer