Infection Control Programme

Introduction:

Every year at least 300,000 NHS patients develop healthcare associated infections. Reducing HCAI and improving cleanliness across all healthcare settings is the responsibility of everyone. With good practice and careful hygiene it has been estimated that around 15-30% of HCAI could be avoided.

The National Infection Control e-learning programme was created to provide learning for staff of all disciplines that is freely available, transferable and accredited. By increasing awareness of Infection Control, it is anticipated that there will be improvements in efficiency and clinical outcomes, increased safety and reliability and overall better patient experiences.

The programme was recently awarded the silver award for ‘e-Learning Project of the Year’ at the IT training Awards 2007.

Target Audience:

All health sector staff. CNO recommends that every member of staff completes the core e-learning component regardless of what other infection control training they have undertaken

Course content and learning outcomes:

Course 1 – Infection Prevention and You (Core Programme)

Clinical and non-clinical versions of e-learning format; single version of face-to-face format

Module 1: Introduction to Healthcare Associated Infection

  • Describe the consequences of HCAI to patients and to the NHS
  • Identify ways in which you can help protect patients from the risk of infection

Module 2: Risk to Patients

  • Explain the difference between pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms, and between endogenous and exogenous infections
  • Describe how infections occur
  • Discuss the increased risk to patients of getting an infection as a result of healthcare

Module 3: Protecting Patients and Yourself

  • Describe roles and responsibilities in infection prevention and control
  • Identify ways in which you can help protect patients from the risk of infection
  • Describe how to care for your own health
  • Use personal protective equipment appropriately

Course 2 – Principles of Infection Prevention

Extension programme aimed at non-clinical staff only; e-learning and face-to-face formats

Module 1: Hand Hygiene

  • Describe how good hand hygiene can prevent the spread of infection
  • Identify when you should clean your hands
  • Demonstrate how you should clean your hands
  • Explain what you can do to protect your hands from getting sore or irritated

Module 2: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Explain what PPE is and state why you need to wear PPE and what to do if it is unavailable
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the laws about using PPE and describe the types of PPE available to you at work
  • State the types of gloves, aprons, face and eye protection and respiratory protection available
  • Recognise the type of PPE

Module 3: Waste and Sharps

  • Describe the different categories of waste
  • Describe how to dispose of each category of waste
  • List the steps you must take when a disposal bag has been split or sharps are spilled
  • Outline the actions you must take if you have an accident involving a sharp instrument or needle or a splash to the face or skin

Module 4: Environmental Cleanliness

  • Explain why a clean environment is important in preventing patients from acquiring an infection during healthcare
  • Deal with a spillage involving blood or other body fluids
  • Handle dirty linen and laundry safely

Course 3: Putting Theory into Practice

Aimed at non-clinical staff only; face-to-face format only to ensure that learning is put into practice in participants’ own context

Session 1: Policies and systems in the workplace for preventing and controlling infection

Session 2: Identification and management of infection risk

Expected duration of the programme:

2 hours to complete the Core Programme (Course 1). The progression modules for non-clinical staff take approximately 6 hours

Content mapping:

The programme has been mapped to KSF, NHSLA Risk Assessment standards, CNST (General Standards) and Standards for Better Health

Click here to take you to the mapping documents which outline this in further detail

To find out more about this or any of our other programmes please contact the unit on:

T: 0845 330 6507
E: clpu@skillsforhealth.org.uk