Infection Prevention and Control

Infection Prevention and Control 5N3734

Award Type Minor

Code 5N3734

Level 5

Credit Value 15

The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to prevent and control infection within the health services area.

Learning Outcomes: Learners will be able to:

1 Explain the basic principles of infection and the application of standard precautions in relation to

infection control, to include the significance of an Area of Infection Control

2 Discuss the importance of infection prevention and control in the healthcare area, in providing a

healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors

3 Summarise the various types of micro organisms, the elements required for the growth, spread

and subsequent infection process, to include direct and indirect contact, knowledge of the chain of

infection and the need for vigilance and safe practice at all times

4 Analyse the predisposing factors to the development of healthcare-acquired infections to include

contact precautions, respiratory precautions and enteric precautions

5 Discuss the role and functions of the local infection control team members, to include local policy

in relation to dress, staff health and travel associated infections

6 Investigate the terms cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation to include cleaning standards,

procedures and frequencies while paying special attention to decontamination of equipment,

including patient care equipment

7 Identify the main blood borne viruses which pose a threat and the methods that prevent the

spread of infections

8 Examine the role of antibiotics and the importance of correct and safe antibiotic use to avoid

antibiotic resistance

9 Differentiate between social hand hygiene, antiseptic hand hygiene and surgical hand hygiene to

include the correct use of alcohol hand gels and the need for good personal skin care and efficient

hand washing

10 Implement the local terminal cleaning procedure in a range of settings, such as an isolation room,

single use items and outbreak management

11 Apply appropriate management of blood and body fluid spillages, to include policies for

dealing with clean and soiled linen, the disposal of sharps and the correct management following

inoculation, injury or accidental exposure to blood and body fluids.