Infection control for physio, podiatry and allied health

The same principles, different equipment

Physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, chiropractic and similar clinics follow the same standard precautions as any healthcare setting. Practitioners are expected to work within the NHMRC infection control guidelines as they apply to their practice. Each registration board sets its own expectations, and some have changed their guidance over time, so check your board's current position and your clinic's procedures.

Hand hygiene

Clean your hands before and after every hands-on treatment, before any procedure and after touching the patient's surroundings. Keep hand rub at each treatment table and in your kit for home visits.

Treatment tables and shared equipment

• Clean the table, pillow and face cradle between patients, or use a fresh cover or paper roll.
• Wipe shared equipment after use: exercise bands, weights, balance boards, gym machines, goniometers and ultrasound heads.
• Wipe off ultrasound gel and follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for the probe.
• Launder towels and pillowcases after each patient, or use single-use covers.
• Hydrotherapy pools have their own water quality rules, usually set by the state health department.

Instruments and needles

• Podiatry instruments that cut skin or nail, such as scalpels, nippers and burrs, must be single-use or cleaned and sterilised between patients.
• Dry needling and acupuncture needles are single use. Dispose of them straight into a sharps container at the point of use.
• Follow your clinic's procedure for reprocessing, and keep records if your steriliser requires them.

Skin, wounds and feet

Wear gloves when treating broken skin, wounds, ulcers or fungal nail and skin infections, and use aseptic technique for wound care. Cover your own cuts with a waterproof dressing.

Home and aged care visits

Carry a kit with hand rub, gloves, wipes, a small sharps container and bags for waste. Clean equipment before it goes back into your car. If the person or their home has an outbreak, check what precautions the facility or your employer requires before you visit.

Staff health

Stay home when you're unwell, and keep your vaccinations up to date as your employer requires. Report needlestick injuries and blood exposures straight away.