Infection Prevention and Control

Course Overview

This training package covers topics relevant to infection prevention and control (IPC) in health care facilities. The content discussed in the modules is intended to help build your knowledge and guide IPC implementation and policy development in your country or health facility. While this course is comprehensive, it is not exhaustive of all topics associated with implementing IPC programmes.

Certificates of completion for each module (except for Core Components and Multimodal Strategy) are available for those receive a grade of 70% or higher on the post-tests.

Target Audience

Individuals and teams who aim to acquire specific competencies in IPC and who work or intend to work as an IPC focal point at the national, subnational or health facility level. Trainees are expected to possess at least basic experience and competence in IPC. They could include IPC professionals, IPC hospital teams, facility administrators, hospital epidemiologists, microbiologists, and other relevant health care professionals.

Where Do I Start?

There are a total of 14 modules available. We recommend starting at Section 1 to ensure you receive the introductory components that will be reinforced throughout all modules. For those seeking a course-like structure, we recommend following the order listed below. You can also take individual modules based on your needs and desired learning outcomes.

Section 1: Introduction to IPC and its core components

  • Introduction to IPC In this module you will learn how and why healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur and how IPC can help to reduce the risk of spread. (1 hour)
  • WHO Core Components and Multimodal Strategy This module describes the essential components of effective Infection Prevention and Control programmes at national and facility levels. This framework is referenced in all other modules, so an understanding of this material is necessary for the remainder of the course. (1 hour)

Section 2: IPC basics

  • Standard Precautions: Hand Hygiene Hand hygiene reduces the transmission of microorganisms (including those that are antibiotic-resistant), increases patient safety, and decreases health care-associated infections. (2 hours)
  • Standard Precautions: Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing worn by health care personnel for protection against infectious materials. (2.5 hours)
  • Standard Precautions: Waste Management In this session, you’ll learn about the different categories of waste and the process for waste management. (1 hour)
  • Standard Precautions: Environmental Cleaning If environmental cleaning is not performed correctly, then environmental contamination can contribute to the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms and health care-associated infections. (1.5 hours)
  • Basic Microbiology A basic understanding of microbiology will allow you to recognize how your role as an IPC person can help break the cycle of transmission, prevent health care-associated infections, and reduce antimicrobial resistance. (40 minutes)
  • Transmission-Based Precautions Learn how to use transmission-based precautions for patients who may be infected or colonized with certain microorganisms for which additional precautions are needed to prevent transmission. (X minutes)
  • Injection Safety Following safe injection practices is key to preventing the spread of infection. This module covers how to safely give injections and dispose of needles and other sharps. You will also learn what to do in case of needlestick injuries. (2.25 hours)

Section 3: Application of IPC in service delivery

  • Leadership: Skills, Project Management, and Implementation Leadership is an important part of a successful IPC programme. You will gain skills essential for effective communication, conflict management, project management, and training as well as learn about implementation strategies that can help you translate IPC standards into practice. (6 hours)
  • Surgical Site Infections Surgical site infections (SSI) are a problem in all countries and should be part of your IPC programme. Learn about WHO’s recommendations for preventing and reducing SSI and some approaches you can use to implement these recommendations at your facility. (5.25 hours)
  • Bloodstream Infections The use of central and peripheral venous catheters are commonly used in health care delivery worldwide. When these devices are used, there remains risks posed to patients for the development of bloodstream infections (BSI). In this module, you will learn more about these specific types of infections, recommended best practices for insertion, maintenance, and removal and ways to achieve effective implementation for prevention! (2 hours)
  • Respiratory Tract Infections Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are some of the most significant HAI. These infections are spread by contaminated ventilator and respiratory equipment, by air, by droplet and by contact. As IPC personnel, it is important to be familiar with the standard precautions that prevent spread of infection as well as multimodal strategies that, when implemented properly, protect your health facility from harm. (1.5 hours)
  • Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) CAUTI are one of the most common health care-associated infections (HAIs). You will learn what the causes and risks are, when to use a urinary catheter, how to insert catheters, and principles and practices for preventing CAUTI. (3.25 hours)
  • Antimicrobial Resistance This module will provide an introduction to antibiotic resistant organisms in health care, the risks they pose, and reasons why they must be taken seriously. Various evidenced based guidelines will be reviewed on ways to contain and/or prevent potential infections. (2.75 hours)
  • Decontamination and Sterilization The reuse of medical devices in health care is universal. Proper cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization are required procedures depending on the type and use of a medical device. Learn about the proper receiving, transport, inspection and reprocessing of medical devices as well as how to properly validate such procedures for quality assurance. (3 hours)
  • Health-care Associated Infections Surveillance Health care associated infection surveillance is a critical component of an effective IPC programme. Surveillance allows for routine monitoring of hospital acquired infections, identification of clusters or outbreaks, and routine monitoring and evaluation of health care delivery. In this module, you will unpack the basic concepts of epidemiology and explore the proper planning cycles for implementing health care associated infection surveillance. (3.25 hours)
  • Outbreak Investigations Outbreaks are unfortunate events that afflict both patients and staff as well as the cost of health care. In this module, you will learn how to identify and investigate outbreaks, the importance of communication, how to implement outbreak control measures, and how to identify lessons learned to inform and improve future health care delivery. (3 hours)

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe how IPC practices stop the spread of infections and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings
  2. Identify risk factors within the patient care environment, including microorganisms, that contribute to the burden of HAIs
  3. Identify how the IPC core components, including multimodal strategies, provide a blueprint for successful implementation of IPC programmes
  4. Identify appropriate application of standard precautions during patient care activities and know when transmission-based precautions are indicated
  5. Explain how sanitation and environmental hygiene contribute to reducing risk of transmission in healthcare settings
  6. Describe recommendations and best practices for infection prevention as it relates to bloodstream infections, surgical site infections and catheter related urinary tract infections.
  7. Describe the principles for conducting HAI surveillance and understanding of the cycle for ways to approach its implementation and interpret its findings for evaluating and informing IPC programmes.
  8. Describe appropriate strategies for implementation and stopping outbreaks of HAIs in health care settings.

Course Structure

There are various learning activities for you to complete on each module page. Types of learning activities include:

  • Readings
  • Videos
  • Quizzes
  • Activities
  • Case studies
  • Self-reflection questions

The case studies and quizzes use a few different types of questions. You will see multiple choice, true/false, matching, sequencing, and questions that ask you to type in your responses. You will see the correct answers when you select the feedback button. If you want to change your answer choice, you can click on the “clear” button and redo your answer.

Self-Study Tips

Learning at your own at your own pace may be a new experience. Self-study requires a different set of skills and techniques than learning in a classroom environment. For some people, learning at their own pace may be challenging at first. However, self-paced eLearning has many advantages, including allowing you to learn whenever and wherever is convenient.

We have compiled some tips to help you be successful in eLearning.

Motivation

Understand what is expected of you and commit to keeping up with going through the content.

Take responsibility for your own learning. It is up to you to succeed! Some of the questions ask you to type in short answers, then select compare answer to see how an expert answers the question. Although it might be tempting to skip these questions, taking the time to think about and type in your answer will help you practice concepts and help you learn more deeply. This is also true for the self-reflection questions.

Time

A typical eLearning course takes more time than an in-person class. One way to manage your time is to set aside specific blocks of time to work. Ask your family to respect the times that you are "in class."

Be sure to take breaks if you need to. This will help maintain your concentration. Stretch. Eat.

Workspace

Designate a space to study. Is it comfortable (but not so comfortable that you fall asleep)? Is it quiet? Can you concentrate?

Acknowledgments

This training package was developed in collaboration by the World Health Organisation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University of Washington Global Health eLearning Program.