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Published on: June 7, 2017
Flawed recommendations on surface hygiene within the existing Interim Influenza Pandemic National Infection Control
Greg Whiteley1, Trevor Glasbey2
1Whiteley Corporation, Suite 501, Level 5, 12 Mount Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia.
Abstract:
The Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza in Healthcare and Community Settings, published by the Australian Commonwealth Government in 2006, have been reviewed and found to contain recommendations that, if they were made by a private organisation, would be potentially illegal under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and also raise some concern in relation to occupational health and safety. The guidelines also fail to recommend the use of disinfecting products with specific claims relating to influenza virus that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Agency.
Insights
Australian pandemic influenza guidelines from 2006 contained potentially illegal recommendations and failed to endorse approved disinfecting products. These infection control measures raise occupational health and safety concerns.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infection Control
- Regulatory Compliance
Background:
- The 2006 Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza were issued by the Australian Commonwealth Government.
- These guidelines aimed to provide direction for healthcare and community settings during influenza pandemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the 2006 Australian pandemic influenza guidelines for legal and safety compliance.
- To assess the adequacy of recommendations regarding disinfecting products for influenza viruses.
Main Methods:
- Legal analysis of the 2006 guidelines against the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
- Evaluation of occupational health and safety implications of the recommendations.
- Assessment of adherence to Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) approval requirements for disinfectants.
Main Results:
- Certain recommendations in the 2006 guidelines could be deemed illegal if issued by a private entity under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
- The guidelines present potential occupational health and safety concerns.
- A notable omission is the failure to recommend influenza-specific disinfecting products approved by the Therapeutic Goods Agency.
Conclusions:
- The 2006 Australian pandemic influenza guidelines require revision due to legal and safety issues.
- Infection control strategies should incorporate TGA-approved disinfecting agents for enhanced efficacy and compliance.
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