Infection Prevention and Control
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09042
Max group:
12
Learn essential infection prevention and control practices to ensure safety in healthcare settings
Course Summary
Infection Prevention and Control
This course teaches you how to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings. Participants will learn about the causes and transmission of infections, as well as the essential infection control measures that help protect patients, staff, and visitors. The course covers personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and strategies for managing outbreaks. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to implement best practices, reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and contribute to a safer healthcare environment. Key Learning Objectives: Understand the Basics of Infection Prevention and Control: Learn about common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and their impact. Understand the chain of infection and how infections spread. Recognise Key Infection Control Measures: Understand the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Learn how to use and dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. Implement Effective Cleaning and Disinfection Practices: Understand the role of cleaning and disinfecting in preventing infection. Learn cleaning protocols for various healthcare environments. Manage the Risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Recognise risk factors for HAIs in different patient populations. Implement effective prevention strategies for specific infections (e.g., MRSA, C. difficile). Promote Safe Handling of Equipment and Waste: Learn proper procedures for handling medical equipment, linens, and waste. Understand infection prevention related to sharps and needles. Control the Spread of Infections in Outbreak Situations: Identify the steps to take during an outbreak or surge in infections. Understand quarantine protocols and effective isolation measures. Ensure Safe Practices in Patient Care: Understand the importance of maintaining aseptic techniques during procedures. Learn how to apply infection prevention practices in routine and critical care settings. Educate Patients and Staff on Infection Control: Develop skills to educate patients and colleagues about infection prevention. Promote adherence to infection control protocols among staff and patients. Monitor and Audit Infection Control Practices: Learn how to monitor infection control compliance and report breaches. Understand the role of audits and surveillance in improving infection control. By completing this course, healthcare professionals will have the necessary skills to reduce the risk of infections, implement effective infection control strategies, and ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors within healthcare settings.
Course Contents
Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
Overview of infection prevention and control in healthcare
Understanding the importance of IPC in patient safety and quality care
The impact of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) on patient outcomes
The Chain of Infection and How Infections Spread
Key elements of the chain of infection: pathogens, reservoirs, routes of transmission, etc.
How infections spread in healthcare settings (contact, airborne, droplet, etc.)
Identifying and interrupting the chain of infection
Common Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Overview of common HAIs: MRSA, C. difficile, VRE, respiratory infections, UTIs, etc.
Risk factors for HAIs in different patient populations (elderly, immunocompromised, etc.)
Prevention and control measures for specific infections
Hand Hygiene and Its Importance
The role of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infection WHO guidelines for hand hygiene in healthcare settings
Techniques for proper hand washing and alcohol-based hand rub use
When and how to perform hand hygiene during patient care
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Types of PPE: gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, eye protection Correct use, donning, and doffing of PPE PPE for different infection control situations (e.g., contact precautions, airborne precautions) Safe disposal and handling of used PPE
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
The role of cleaning and disinfection in preventing the spread of infection
Cleaning and disinfection protocols for patient rooms, equipment, and surfaces
High-touch areas and their importance in IPC
Cleaning methods and products: detergents, disinfectants, and sterilisation processes
Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps and Waste Safe handling and disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects
Procedures for handling contaminated linens, dressings, and waste
Understanding the risks associated with sharps injuries and biohazardous waste
The importance of following safe disposal guidelines
Managing Outbreaks and Preventing the Spread of Infections
Steps to take during an outbreak (identification, isolation, reporting) Isolation precautions: contact, droplet, airborne, and protective isolation
Surveillance and reporting mechanisms in healthcare settings
Ensuring compliance with IPC during outbreaks
Aseptic Technique in Patient Care
The importance of aseptic techniques to prevent infections during procedures
Basic principles: sterile field, sterilisation of instruments, and maintaining sterility
Using aseptic technique in invasive procedures, wound care, and catheterisation
Educating Patients and Staff on Infection Control
Educating patients on IPC practices (e.g., hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette)
Promoting staff adherence to infection prevention measures
Training and empowering healthcare staff to take responsibility for IPC Communicating IPC policies and protocols effectively
Monitoring and Auditing Infection Control Practices
The role of audits in improving infection prevention and control compliance
Monitoring and evaluating IPC practices in the healthcare setting
Identifying areas for improvement through feedback and surveillance data
Developing action plans to address non-compliance
Summary and Best Practices
Recap of key infection prevention and control practices
Developing an action plan to implement and maintain IPC standards in practice
Resources for continuous education and staying updated on IPC guidelines
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;