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.
Video resource which documents how to manage spillages of blood and body fluids in care homes.
Working in a care home, people may on occasion be exposed to items or substances that have the potential to be harmful.
This video resource looks at the steps that can be taken to minimise and deal with the exposure.
People who live, visit, and work within the home must be protected against any risks associated with infection. Cleaning is an essential step in preventing and controlling the spread of infection – and a clean and tidy environment is a good indicator that the highest possible quality of care is being provided.
This video resource documents procedures for keeping care environments clean and how to comply with regulations.