Infection Control
Course Overview
Infection prevention and control measures aim to ensure the protection of those who might be
vulnerable to acquiring an infection…. Ok but why is this important?
Course Content
Infection prevention and control means putting measures in place to protect people who might be vulnerable to acquiring an infection, whether that's a patient in a care setting, a colleague, or a customer. The course explains what this looks like in practice and why the impact of getting it wrong, and right, is so significant.
The course covers the chain of infection: the sequence of steps a pathogen needs to move through to cause infection in a new host. Understanding this chain, from source to susceptible host, is the foundation of knowing where to intervene to stop transmission.
The course explains the different types of microorganisms relevant to infection control, and how bacteria and other pathogens are transmitted between people and surfaces, including direct contact, airborne transmission and contaminated equipment or surfaces.
Good infection control relies on consistently applied standard precautions. The course covers the core practical measures: effective hand hygiene, correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and respiratory hygiene practices that reduce the spread of airborne pathogens.
Where infection risk is identified, isolation procedures help prevent it spreading further, and the course covers when and how these are applied. It also covers safe waste management, since improperly handled clinical or contaminated waste is itself a transmission risk.
The course covers the legislation that applies to infection control, giving staff the context for why these measures aren't just best practice but a compliance requirement in many settings, including healthcare, care homes and food businesses.
This course is essential for anyone working in healthcare, care homes, food businesses or any setting where infection risk is present, including cleaning and facilities staff. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of infection control has also become increasingly relevant to general workplace settings, not just clinical ones.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to:
- Define infection prevention and control and explain why it matters
- Understand the chain of infection and where to intervene
- Recognise how bacteria and other microorganisms are transmitted
- Apply standard precautions, including hand hygiene, PPE and respiratory hygiene
- Understand isolation procedures and safe waste management
- Understand the legislation that applies to infection control in your setting
Course Duration
60 mins
Course Certification
Approved by CPD & IIRSM
