Infection Prevention and Control

This module has been developed to provide a good understanding and overview of the key elements on how to contribute and improve infection prevention and control within the health and social care setting. It is aimed to enhance your understanding of infection prevention and control by ensuring you follow the correct procedures when dealing with infections and how to reduce the risks of exposure or contamination to yourself, your patient/service user, carers, relatives and visitors.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Understand the term ‘Standard Infection Control Precautions’ (SICP)
• Be able to describe the most common Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI) (MRSA, clostridium difficile)
• Know where to obtain information about infection prevention and control specific to your organisation
• understand basic microbiology and how micro- organisms are spread
• have a knowledge of and demonstrate the standard infection prevention and control measures relevant to your specific role, including;
• Hand hygiene technique
• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• The Management of Blood and Bodily Fluid Spillage
• The Management of Occupational Exposure (including sharps)
• The Management of Care Equipment
• Be able to conduct a risk assessment in respect of ensuring infection prevention and control measures are in place.

Infection Prevention and Control policies are at the heart of good clinical management and practice, however may vary between Trusts and private settings and it is important that you refer to and adopt the local policies that are applicable within your organisation.