Acupuncture hygiene standards

Last updated: 01 October 2003

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific location on the body to assist with the relief for pain and illness. This requires specific knowledge on acupuncture techniques as well as infection control and minimum hygiene standards. The following recommendations are made to help achieve these standards.

Premises

• All acupuncture premises must be registered with the local council. The register is to be made available for public viewing.
• The premises must be in a clean and hygienic condition at all times.
• A hand basin with hot and cold running water is required in the premises and is recommended to be in the treatment area.
• Soap or other hand cleaning substance is required to be at the hand basin.
• Paper towel or other single use hand drying equipment is required to be at the hand basin.
• The construction of the premises should meet with local council requirements.
• The finish on all surfaces within the acupuncture area should be made of materials that are easily cleaned.
• Fittings in the acupuncture area such as benches should be cleaned between each client and/or a clean covering placed over the treatment surface.
• Adequate lighting is recommended.

Personal Hygiene

• Acupuncturists must wash their hands before and after attending a client.
• A clean gown or apron must be worn during an acupuncture procedure.
• If an acupuncturist has a cut or open wound on their hands or fingers especially, they must cover it with a waterproof dressing.
• When carrying out an acupuncture procedure which involves penetrating the skin single use gloves must be worn. If the acupuncturist is not penetrating the skin or is not in contact with blood or other body substances then single use gloves do not have to be worn.

Equipment

• All equipment that penetrates the skin is to be sterilised.
• Equipment used on the skin surface that comes in contact with blood or other body substances must be cleaned before it is reused. It is also recommended where possible that this equipment be thermally disinfected.
• It is recommended that equipment which does not penetrate the skin, but may become contaminated with blood or other body substances, be made of materials that are easily cleaned.

Procedures

• Although not a legal requirement it is recommended that persons under the age of 18 years have parental or guardian approval prior to receiving treatment.
• All acupuncturists should have adequate knowledge to perform the procedure. First aid knowledge is also recommended.
• All necessary equipment should be set up just prior to the procedure.
• The sterile packaging should only be opened when ready to proceed.
• The skin area to be treated should be cleaned with a skin antiseptic.
• The sterile part of equipment that penetrates the skin should not be touched.
• Where it is necessary to grasp the needle shaft to facilitate insertion or manipulation the acupuncturist should use a sterile insertion tube, a fresh pre-packaged sterile alcohol swab or fresh sterile dry swab or use a sterile glove.
• Lubricants, creams or gels should be dispensed into a separate container at the start of the procedure for the client. Alternatively single use applicators can be used provided they are not 'double dipped.'

After Treatment

• All equipment should be cleaned immediately after the procedure.
• Remaining creams, oils, gels etc that have been dispensed are to be thrown out with any single use container.
• All single use needles or other sharps should be disposed immediately after treatment into a sharps container.
• All reusable needles or other sharps should be cleaned and sterilised immediately after the procedure.
• Used needles should not be placed back into container or packaging.
• Single use gloves should be disposed of immediately after the procedure.
• All waste should be bagged appropriately and disposed daily.
• Details of the sterilisation process must be recorded.

Related links

• Guidelines on skin penetration  http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publichealth/environment/general/guidelines_skin_pen.asp
• Skin penetration code of best practice  http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publichealth/environment/general/code_of_practice.asp