Cosmetic Nurses Association: Infection Control Guideline

Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to outline the infection control guidelines for cosmetic nurses when performing any cosmetic procedure.

Scope
This guideline is applicable to cosmetic nurses providing non-surgical cosmetic treatments within Australia.

Pre-requisites
Each State and local council has its own individual infection control guidelines detailing specifics on medical building requirements. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure building guidelines are adhered to.

Guideline
The following is a guideline for infection control when performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures:

  • Disinfect and keep surfaces clean: between patients the room and all equipment should be cleaned thoroughly with an approved healthcare grade disinfectant.
  • Use Gloves: gloves should be worn during all treatments.
  • Patients to be offered hand sanitiser before and after treatment.
  • Use a new dressing pack for each patient.
  • Aseptic Non-Touch Technique be applied at all times:
    • Perform hand hygiene
    • Identify and gather equipment for procedure
    • Perform hand hygiene and prepare field by opening procedure pack using corners and dropping sterile equipment into sterile field
    • Perform hand hygiene
    • Prepare patient – use gloves where appropriate. Clean the patient’s skin thoroughly with face wash/makeup removal wipes. This should be followed by isopropyl alcohol wipes and chlorhexidine. Repeat chlorhexidine application twice to ensure patient’s face is clean. If the patient or injector touches the area, it must be cleaned again.
    • Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, re-apply new gloves
    • Perform procedure ensuring all key parts/components are protected:
      • sterile items are used once and disposed into waste bag/sharps bin
      • only sterile items contact the key site
      • sterile items do not come into contact with non-sterile items
      • attempt not to touch key parts/sites directly but if this is necessary, wear sterile gloves.
    • Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene
    • Clean trolley/work surface after use and perform hand hygiene.
  • Use Personal Protective Equipment: appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves, masks and face shields should be used when required and should be changed for each new patient.
  • During the procedure: change needle when blunt, needle’s tip touches bone, needle touches non-sterile field such as hair, glove or bench.
  • No Treatment: if a patient presents with any signs of active skin infection, not to treat.
  • After Care/Post Treatment: Explain to patient to keep area clean to not introduce any bacteria.

References

Public Health Services Tasmania (2015). Aseptic non touch technique – a guide for healthcare workers. https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/86120/ANTT_V2_2015_B_and_Wprint.pdf