Risk Assessment and Routine Practices

To be Used for ALL Clients / Patients, by ALL Health Care Providers, at ALL Times
The key to implementing Routine Practices is the assessment of risk before each client / patient interaction taking into consideration events, circumstances and practices to determine which exposure controls are required.

Important questions to ask during your risk assessment include:

1. What contact am I going to have with the client / patient?
2. What task am I going to perform?
3. What is my risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, respiratory secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, mucous membranes, body tissues, and contaminated equipment?
4. Will the client / patient be cooperative while I perform the task?

On completion of the risk assessment, use all appropriate strategies of Routine Practices listed below to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms.

	Hand Hygiene (1) Hand hygiene is performed using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water: Before and after each client / patient / resident contact Before performing invasive procedures Before preparing, handling, serving or eating food After care involving body fluids and before moving to another activity Before putting on and after taking off gloves and PPE After personal body functions (e.g. blowing one’s nose) Whenever hands come into contact with secretions, excretions, blood and body fluids After contact with items in the client / patient / resident’s environment
	Mask & Eye Protection or Face Shield (2) Protect eyes, nose and mouth during procedures and care activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions Wear within 2 meters of a coughing client / patient / resident
	Gown (3) Wear a long-sleeved gown if contamination of uniform or clothing is anticipated
	Gloves (4) Wear gloves when there is a risk of hand contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, mucous membranes or contaminated surfaces or objects Wearing gloves is NOT a substitute for hand hygiene Perform hand hygiene after removing gloves
	Environment  (5) All equipment that is being used by more than one client / patient / resident must be cleaned between clients / patients / residents All touched surfaces in the client / patient / resident’s room must be cleaned daily
	Linen & Waste (6) 4 Handle soiled linen and waste carefully to prevent personal contamination and transfer to other clients / patients / residents
	Sharps Injury Prevention (7) NEVER RECAP USED NEEDLES Place sharps in sharps containers Prevent injuries from needles, scalpels and other sharp devices
	Patient Placement / Accommodation (8) Use a single room for a client / patient / resident who contaminates the environment Perform hand hygiene after leaving the room

Source (with permission): The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC). Routine Practices Fact Sheet for Health Care Settings. Available at: www.pidac.ca.