communities families people · 2017-11-14 · 5.4. national regulation 88 "incident, injury,...

EXH.002.017.0235

\~ Management Area: Pages: [05]

CHILDREN'S SERVICES Version No: [04] YMCA Date: [Oi /04/20i 2] \ll/e build strong PEOPLE Sub section (if applicable): Signed: ~~~) strong FAMILIES strong COMMUNITIES

Policy Title: ILLNESS AND INFECTIOUS Author: CHILDREN'S

DISEASES SERVICES TASKFORCE

i. Scope

i. i . Educators, management, families and children

2. Policy Statement

The YMCA aims to provide a safe and hygienic environment that will promote the health and wellbeing of the children (My Time, Our Place Outcome 3). As the care needs of a sick child cannot be met without dramatically reducing the general level of supervision of the other children or risking other children's health, parents will be asked not to bring sick children to the centre and to collect children who are unwell.

We will take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases through the implementation of procedures that are consistent with guidelines set by State Health Authorities.

All care and consideration will be given to the child who becomes ill while at the centre. Educators will actively seek to comfort the child and minimise the risk of cross infection. Children with infectious diseases will be excluded from the centre for the period recommended by the Department of Health.

The educators or Manager reserves the right to refuse entry of a sick child to protect the health of all children and educators at the centre. This also includes refusing entry to the child who, due to illness, is unable to cope with the daily routine.

If the educator or Manager considers any child too sick to remain at the centre, parents must make arrangements for the child to be collected as soon as possible.

Where there is an outbreak of an infectious disease, educators will inform each family of an enrolled child within a 24 hour period where possible. Educators will take every precaution during the notification process to protect the identity of the child that has contracted the disease (My Time, Our Place Outcome 1).

3. Related Policies and Procedures/Guidance Notes

3. i. Duty of Care Policy 3.2. Daily Routines Policy 3.3. Hygiene Policy 3.4. Immunisation Policy 3.5. Service Access Policy 3.6. Accident, Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy

Illness and Infectious Diseases Review Date: April 2013 Created by: Anne-Mary Nolan

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EXH.002.017.0236


CHILDREN'S SERVICES Version No: [04] YMCA Date: [01/04/2012] Wv t)L1ild strong PIOOPLE Sub section (if applicable) : Signed: ~-s'.rong FAMILIES \ _J strong C::OM!llUNITIES

Author: CHILDREN 'S Policy Title: ILLNESS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES SERVICES TASKFORCE

4. Responsibilities and Delegat ions

4.1. The Children's Services Taskforce is responsible for the review of this policy. 4.2. Educators and management are responsible for the implementation of this policy. 4.3. The families and children are responsible for the support of this policy.

5. Considerations

5. i . National Regulation 85 "Incident, Injury and Illness Policies and Procedures" 5.2 . National Regulation 86 "Notification to parents of incidents, injury, trauma and illness" 5 .3. National Regulation 87 "Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record" 5.4. National Regulation 88 "Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record" 5.5. National Regulation "Infectious Diseases" 5.6. National Standards 2; Element 2. I .4 "Steps are taken to control the spread of

infectious diseases and to manage illness and injuries in accordance with recognised guidelines"

5.7. NSW Department of Health Guidelines 5 .8. Disability Discrimination Act I 975 5.9. NSW Anti - Discrimination Act I 977 5. i 0. Work Health and Safety Act 201 I 5. i I . Staying Healthy in Child Care (5th Edition) 5 . i 2. Hygiene Policy

6. Records Maintenance

This policy is to be reviewed annually or as required based on operational or legislative change.

PROCEDURES

At the time of a child's enrolment in a YMCA Education and Care Service, parents will be informed of the Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy.

A copy of the Department of Health Guidelines on infectious diseases will be kept alongside the Policy Manual for use by educators and families. This can be located from the NSW Department of Health Website www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/ lnfectious/a-z.asp This resource is to be regularly updated by the Centre Coordinator.

A Child or Adult will be considered sick if he/she: • Sleeps at unusual times, is lethargic. • Has a fever over 38 degrees. • Is crying constantly from discomfort. • Vomits or has diarrhoea.


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EXH.002.017.0237

\V Management Area: Pages: [05]

CHILDREN'S SERVICES Version No: [04] YMCA Date: [01 /04/2012] Vo/o build strong PEOPl.E Sub section (if applicable): Signed : ~~~~J strono FAMILIES strong COMMUNITIES


DISEASES SERVICES T ASKFORCE

• Is in need of constant one to one care. • Is displaying the symptoms of an infectious disease.

If a child is unwell at home parents are not permitted to bring the child to the centre. A child who appears unwell at the time of being signed into the service by a parent I guardian will not be permitted to be left at the service.

If a child becomes ill or develops symptoms at the centre the parents will be contacted to take the child home, where the parents are not available the emergency contacts will be called to collect the child to ensure the child is removed from the service promptly.

The child who is ill will be comforted, cared for and placed in a quiet isolated area with adult supervision until the child's parent or other authorised adult takes them home.

During a fever other methods will be employed to bring the child's temperature down until the parents arrive or help is sought. Such methods include: excess clothes removed as required, clear fluids given, tepid sponges administered.

If a child's temperature is very high, cannot be brought down and parents cannot be contacted and the situation becomes serious, the child will be taken to the doctor or an ambulance called.

If an educator becomes ill or develops symptoms of an infectious illness during a shift they should be replaced as soon as possible and sent home. Educators who are unwell prior to the start of their shift or are displaying symptoms of an infectious disease should not report to work. They should call their direct supervisor to arrange for a replacement educator to be engaged for their shift.

Infection Control Procedures

• All educators dealing with open sores, cuts and bodily fluids with any child or adult must wear disposable gloves.

• Educator with cuts, open wounds or skin conditions such as Dermatitis should cover their wounds and wear disposable gloves.

• Disposable gloves will be properly and safely discarded after use and educators are to wash their hands after doing so.

• If a child has an open wound it will be covered with a waterproof dressing and securely attached.

• If bodily fluids or blood gets on the skin but there is no cut or puncture, wash away with hot soapy water.

• In the event of exposure through cuts or chapped skin , promptly wash away fluid, encourage bleeding and wash in cold or tepid soapy water.

• In the event of exposure to the eyes, promptly rinse gently with cold or tepid tap water or saline water.


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EXH.002.017.0238


CHILDREN'S SERVICES Version No: [04] YMCA Date: [01 /04/2012] We build strong PEOPLE Sub section (if applicable): Signed: ~~) strong FAMILIES strong COMMUNITIES


DISEASES SERVICES T ASKFORCE

• In the event of having to perform CPR, disposable sterile mouth masks or approved sheets are to be used. The educator in charge of the first aid kit will ensure the masks or sheets are available at all times.

• Any exposure should be reported to the Coordinator and CSC/Manager to ensure the proper follow up procedure occurs.

• NOTE: Hot water may coagulate the blood and protect any virus from the soap or disinfectant. It is best to use cold or tepid water temperature in all cleaning processes.

• Any soiled clothing shall be handled using disposable gloves, soaked in disinfectant or hot soapy water. Clothing will be placed and sealed in a plastic bag for parents to take home.

• Any blood or bodily fluid spills will be cleaned up immediately, using gloves and the area fully disinfected. Cloths used in cleaning will be wrapped in plastic bags and properly disposed of according to current infection control guidelines.

• NOTE: Refer to HIV/ AIDS/ Hepatitis Policy for further information.

Management of Infectious Diseases Outbreak

• Children and educators will be excluded from the centre if they are ill with any contagious illness. This includes diarrhoea and conjunctivitis.

• The period of exclusion will be based on the recommendations outlined by the Department of Health.

• The decision to exclude or re-admit a child or educator will be the responsibility of the Coordinator based on the child's symptoms, medical opinion and Department of Health guidelines for children who have an infectious disease or who have been exposed to an infectious disease.

• In the event of an immunisation preventable disease at the service or school attended by children at the service, parents of children who are not immunised will be required to stay at home for the duration of the outbreak, for their own protection.

• The Public Health Unit will be notified if any child contracts an immunisation preventable disease. Access to local Unit details can be found on www.health.nsw.gov.au

• Payment of fees will be required during the outbreak of an immunisation preventable disease, unless other arrangements discussed and agreed to by Management, have been made.

• The educator has the right to refuse access if concerned about the child's health. • Children with diarrhoea will be excluded for 24 hours after the symptoms have

disappeared or after a normal stool. • A doctor's clearance certificate will be required for all infectious diseases such as

Measles, Mumps Diphtheria, and hepatitis A, Polio, Tuberculosis, Typhoid and Paratyphoid before returning to the centre.

• Parents will be informed about the occurrence of an infectious disease in the centre ensuring that the individual rights of educators or children are not infringed upon.

• All educators will ensure proper hygiene practices are carried out as outlined in the Hygiene Policy.


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EXH.002.017.0239

\V· Management Area: Pages: [05]

CHILDREN'S SERVICES Version No: [04] YMCA Date: [01 /04/2012] We builci slrong PEOPLE Sub section (if applicable): Signed: ~~~~J Slrona FAMILl£S stmng COMMUNITIES


DISEASES SERVICES TASKFORCE

• All educators will be advised upon appointment to the position to maintain their immunity to common childhood disease, tetanus and Hepatitis through immunisation with their local health professional.

7. Version History

Version Description of changes Author

2 Review and update. M. Rupnik New format

3 New structure AM. Nolan

4 Reviewed for NQF compliance AM. Nolan

I endorse the Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy.

Name: Anne-Mary Nolan Children's Services Program Manager

Signature: ~ Date: I st April 2012

Name: Liam Whitley General Manager Children's Services

~~~ - ~ Signature: ~ Date: I st April 2012

Board Endorsement

Endorsed By: Phillip Hare

Position: Chief Executive Officer

Date: I st April 2012


Effective Date

December 2009

January 2011

April 2012

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EXH.002.017.0240

communities families people · 2017-11-14 · 5.4. national regulation 88 "incident, injury,...

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