EVALUATION OF INFECTION-CONTROL IN REGISTERED TATTOOING PREMISES IN VICTORIA, 1994

Tattooists at a random sample of registered tattooing premises were su rveyed for self-reported compliance with infection-control practices s pecified in the Victorian Standards of practice for tattooing, and som e were observed while tattooing, Of 35 respondents, 94 per cent report ed that they believed their practice fully met the standards, yet 19 p er cent of tattooists did not have a copy of the standards at their pr emises. Most believed the standards could be improved. There was consi derable discrepancy between reported practice and that observed. Few t attooists understood or implemented universal precautions, and while m ost wore gloves, there was low level of use of eye and clothing protec tion. Tattooists touched many surfaces that had not been cleaned or di sinfected between clients. Ultrasonic cleaners were generally operated without lids. Because of this, they were a danger both to operators a nd their clients. At no premises was equipment used that had been both cleaned according to the standards and sterilised in an autoclave tha t had passed a sterilisation test. The situation in Victoria is simila r to that identified in other states. There is an urgent need for trai ning of tattooists and the environmental health officers who supervise them.