Standard and transmission-based precautions posters
These posters show the key steps for standard precautions and when caring for patients who require transmission-based precautions, due to a known or suspected infection.
Standard and transmission-based precautions
Standard precautions are the primary strategy for minimising the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Standard precautions must be used when providing care to all patients, regardless of whether they have an infection or not. Standard precautions involve:
- hand hygiene, as consistent with the 5 moments for hand hygiene
- the use of appropriate personal protective equipment
- the safe use and disposal of sharps
- routine environmental cleaning
- reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments
- respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- aseptic technique
- waste management
- appropriate handling of linen.
In certain situations, the use of standard precautions alone may not be enough to limit the spread of infection. When this occurs, transmission-based precautions are required. There are three types of transmission-based precautions: contact, droplet and airborne precautions. One or more types of transmission-based precautions may be required, depending on how an infection is spread between people. A local risk assessment should always be undertaken to determine the most appropriate requirements to maintain patient and staff safety.
Source: Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
Infection control signage posters
The Commission has developed a suite of standardised posters for acute care facilities, to assist healthcare workers to understand the steps and infection prevention and control precautions that are used for all patients (standard precautions) and for those patients who require transmission-based precautions, due to a known or suspected infection. These posters include information that addresses the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Preventing and controlling infections Standard, particularly Actions 3.06, 3.07, 3.08 and 3.09.
Standardised posters - with state and territory co-branding
Links to co-branded posters are provided below.
ACT
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to ACT Health for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to SA Health for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.
TAS
VIC
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to Health Victoria for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.
WA
ACT
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to ACT Health for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to SA Health for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.
TAS
VIC
These posters are not co-badged. Refer to Health Victoria for guidance on standard and transmission-based precautions.