Tips for podiatry patients

20 Oct 2017

Today, the Podiatry Board of Australia (the Board) has launched a video¹ for patients to help them understand what infection prevention and control measures to expect when visiting their podiatrist or podiatric surgeon.

It also encourages patients to ask their podiatrist questions about infection prevention and control and helps them know what to do if they have a concern about their podiatrist’s infection control practices.

The Board’s Chair, Ms Catherine Loughry, hopes that this video empowers patients of podiatry services.

‘This video reminds patients that good infection prevention and control is something they should expect and something they can look out for. Effective infection prevention and control is central to minimising the risk and spread of infection. It’s everyone’s responsibility and helps keep everyone safe.’

The video is being launched as part of the Board’s awareness activities for International Infection Prevention Week (15 – 21 October 2017).

The video shows the key aspects of infection prevention and control practices that a podiatrist follows during a routine podiatry service; including practising hand hygiene, wearing protective clothing, the use of sterile instruments, as well as how they should handle sharps like scalpels.

• Transcript - Infection control: Tips for patients when receiving care from a podiatrist (108 KB,DOCX)

We also have an infection control checklist that patients can use

The Board has also developed a quick checklist for patients.

Patients can keep in mind these easy to remember tips:

• Is your podiatrist registered? (Check the online national register of Podiatrists on the Board’s website and make sure your podiatrist is registered and meets national standards.)
• Does your podiatrist’s clinic look clean and tidy?
• Is your podiatrist wearing appropriate protective clothing?
• Does your podiatrist use alcohol-based hand rubs or wash their hands before treating you?
• Does your podiatrist have a sink in their clinic area where they can wash their hands if needed?
• Are the instruments used on you clean, sterilised (if required), or new and disposable? You can ask your podiatrist if their instruments are sterilised.

What if you have a concern about the care you’ve received?

If you have concerns, you can make a complaint to AHPRA and the Podiatry Board of Australia on 1300 419 495.
More information about the complaints process is on the Complaints or concerns page of the AHPRA website.

Remember – it’s a podiatrist’s responsibility

When visiting a registered podiatrist, you can be safe in the knowledge that they have met national standards, such as continuing to learn and develop their skills.

The Board expects all podiatrists to practise in a way that maintains and enhances public health and safety, ensuring the risk of the spread of infection is prevented or minimised.

Podiatrists are expected to practise as per the Board’s Guidelines for infection prevention and control to ensure that they meet their infection prevention and control obligations.

For more information

• Read the infection control checklist
• Access the video or go to AHPRA YouTube channel
• Go to the Podiatry Board website
• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

¹ This video was filmed in a simulated environment with actors and should not be used as a training material for professionals. The video is a resource intended for general public information only and is not for training purposes.