SESLHD PROCEDURE
COVER SHEET
NAME OF DOCUMENT
Refrigerators: Food: Use and Care
TYPE OF DOCUMENT
Procedure
DOCUMENT NUMBER
SESLHDPR/355
DATE OF PUBLICATION
June 2014
RISK RATING
Low
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard
No. 3 ‘Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated
Infections’ (Criteria 3.1,3.7 and 3.15)
NSW Ministry of Health Policy Directives
REVIEW DATE
June 2019
FORMER REFERENCE(S)
Former ‘Refrigerators: Use and Care’
SESLHDPD/109
EXECUTIVE SPONSOR or
Prof George Rubin
EXECUTIVE CLINICAL SPONSOR
Director Clinical Governance
AUTHOR
SESLHD Infection Prevention Control Working Party
[email protected]
POSITION RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE DOCUMENT
SESLHD Infection Prevention Control Working Party
KEY TERMS
Refrigerators, food
SUMMARY
To outline the procedure to be followed to clean blood
and body substance spills in refrigerators across
SESLHD
[email protected]
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS MANDATORY
This Procedure is intellectual property of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Procedure content cannot be duplicated.
Feedback about this document can be sent to [email protected]
SESLHD PROCEDURE
Refrigerators: Food Use and Care
1.
PR 355
POLICY STATEMENT
In line with NSW Ministry of Health Policy Directive ‘Infection Control’ PD2007_036 and
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard No. 3 ‘Preventing and Controlling
Healthcare Associated Infections’, specifically in compliance with criteria 3.1,3.7 and 3.15,
SESLHD ensures that refrigerators must be used only for their intended use.
2.
BACKGROUND
This document outlines the procedure to ensure refrigerators used for food storage in
health care facilities are maintained and managed correctly.
Vaccine, medication and blood refrigerators are addressed in SESLHD Procedure
‘Medicine: Management of Refrigerated Storage of Medicines and Vaccinations in Clinical
Areas’ SESLHDPR/300 and its related ‘Refrigerated Medicine Storage – Temperature
Monitoring Form’
3.
DEFINITIONS
Cleaning: removal of soil/dirt/dust from surface involving water and physical or
mechanical action and a cleaning agent such as a neutral detergent
4.
4.1
RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees will:
Comply with the procedures outlined in this document. This includes, hand hygiene and
the appropriate use of the equipment.
Comply with cleaning and maintenance schedules.
4.2
Line Managers will:
Use a risk assessment process to ensure equipment is used and maintained as outlined,
and that staff are trained in appropriate use. Ensure cleaning and maintenance schedules
are maintained.
5.
5.1
PROCEDURE
Use
Food must not be stored with contaminated material, clinical specimens or medical
products such as drugs, vaccines and blood
Expressed breast milk and infant formula must be managed and stored in accordance
with NSW Ministry of Health Policy Directive ‘Maternity: Breast Milk: SelfManagement’ PD2010_019
Items must be stored in refrigerators in a manner which ensures air circulation
Refrigerator temperature should be maintained at the safe food range (below 5 0C).
This must be checked and documented daily.
Revision 4.5
Trim No. T14/17183
Date: June 2014
Page 1 of 3
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS MANDATORY
This Procedure is intellectual property of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Procedure content cannot be duplicated.
SESLHD PROCEDURE
Refrigerators: Food Use and Care
5.2
PR 355
Cleaning and maintenance
During cleaning and maintenance the contents of the refrigerator must be stored in
such a manner as to maintain the refrigeration temperature. For example in an
alternate refrigerator or in an esky with ice bricks
Door seals must be in good condition
All refrigerators to be cleaned:
 at least monthly and spills spot cleaned as required by the ward/department
cleaning/food service
 with detergent and warm water
 and, if not frost free, be defrosted quarterly
The cleaning schedule and documentation of the cleaning of food refrigerators must be
displayed on the door of the refrigerator
6.
DOCUMENTATION
Cleaning of refrigerators schedule
7.
AUDIT
Nil
8.
REFERENCES
External References:
Australia New Zealand Food Authority. Safe Food Australia. 2nd Edition. 2001
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare: Australian Guidelines for
the Prevention and Control of Infection in Health Care. 2010
NSW Ministry of Health Policy Directive ‘Maternity: Breast Milk: Self-Management’
PD2010_019
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard No. 3 ‘Preventing and
Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections’
9.
REVISION AND APPROVAL HISTORY
Date
Revision No.
Sept 2004
Author and Approval
Infection Control Coordinators
Feb 2005
1
Apr 2007
Draft
Sept 2008
2
Renumber from Infection Control Manual Section R 1 to SESIH PD 191.
No changes made to content.
Apr 2011
3
Amendment to reflect change to Local Health Network
Apr 2014
4
Amendment to risk rating, addition of Level of evidence
Revision 4.5
Approved by Area Policy and Procedure Committee on 10 Feb 2005 and
ratified by executive on 21 Feb 2005 for a six month period – review
August 05
Former Illawarra Health policy reviewed and merged for SESIH in
consultation with SESIH Infection Control Manual Working Party.
Contact Helen Newman.
Trim No. T14/17183
Date: June 2014
Page 2 of 3
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS MANDATORY
This Procedure is intellectual property of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Procedure content cannot be duplicated.
SESLHD PROCEDURE
Refrigerators: Food Use and Care
PR 355
Jun 2014
4.5
Approved by Infection Prevention Control Working Party.
Updated template and re-formatted by District Policy Officer.
Jun 2014
4.5
Approved by Executive Clinical Sponsor, Prof George Rubin, Director of
Clinical Governance
Revision 4.5
Trim No. T14/17183
Date: June 2014
Page 3 of 3
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS MANDATORY
This Procedure is intellectual property of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Procedure content cannot be duplicated.