The 10 things care workers need to know about infection control
In health and social care environments, cleanliness and hygiene are hugely important. Knowing how to maintain exceptionally high hygiene standards in care environments is the key to preventing the outbreak and spread of infection.
The best way to learn about infection control is to undergo a relevant care training course. For now, here are the 10 most important things you need to know about preventing and controlling infection:
1. The importance of infection control
2. How people become infected
3. The ‘chain’ of infection – how infection can spread from person to person and from place to place
4. The infections commonly associated with health care environments (known as Health Care Associated Infections or HCAI) and how to manage them
5. Different types of germs and the infections they cause or exacerbate
6. How personal protective equipment can protect you and others from infection, as well as how it can stop infection from spreading
7. How to wash your hands thoroughly and effectively and when to do it
8. How to prevent infection in the first place
9. Government legislation and policy relating to infection control
10. The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in relation to infection control