Preventing Infection in Care

Learning programme workbook and workbook answers, which provide a structured approach to assessing and developing knowledge and skills. They can provide evidence for Personal Development Plan (PDP); Professional Development Review (PDR); SVQ Portfolio evidence; Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or Continuous Learning Framework (CLF).

The workbook is to be used to record what is learned and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the role as part of the Care Home or Care at Home team. Supervisors can also write down notes and answer questions.

Introduction to the 'Preventing Infection in Care' resource, which contains programmes on the causes of infection; information on common infections experienced in care homes; and a programme that describes the steps you should take if there is an outbreak of infection in your setting.

Short induction programme introducing the 10 standard infection control precautions – the practical steps that can be taken to prevent infections.

Most micro-organisms are harmless, but some can have serious consequences particularly for vulnerable groups including older people or people with certain medical conditions.

This video resource documents particular causes of infection and how to control them.

Vulnerable people can take longer to recover from infections and some can be life threatening.

This video resource documents specific infections - what they are, what symptoms they cause, how they are transmitted, and how they are managed and can be controlled.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, outbreaks of infection may occur, and whilst infections can affect people of all ages, older people living in care homes can suffer more severe illness and a more rapid deterioration.

This video resource documents best practice for dealing with outbreaks of infection in care.

There are 10 elements to the standard infection control precautions (SICPs) providing international guidance on infection prevention and control.

SICPs are the necessary precautions that all health and social care staff must adhere to, to reduce the risk of transmission of micro-organisms from both recognised and unrecognised sources of infection.

This video resource details the 10 elements to SICPs.

The most common way germs are spread is by people's hands. Hands are covered in a range of micro-organisms, many harmless, but some can also cause illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting, flu and other serious illness.

This video resource documents appropriate hand hygiene for working in care environments.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a requirement of health and safety legislation. It is used to protect staff and people you care for to reduce the opportunities for spreading infections.

This video resource documents the types of, and uses of, personal protective equipment.

Colds and flu are the most common illnesses in society and perhaps the most infectious. The most common mode of transmission is through aerosols and droplets such as coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread via a more direct route, through hand and surface contact.

This video resource documents best practice for managing respiratory coughing and sneezing how to prevent the spread of infections.