Infection Control Training: Prevention, Safety and Best Practice

Infection control is essential for protecting people from preventable infections in healthcare, residential care, community services and other workplaces. Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices help reduce the transmission of harmful microorganisms, protect vulnerable individuals and maintain safe working environments.

This Infection Control Training course introduces learners to the principles of infection prevention, standard infection control precautions, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning and safe waste management. It also explores the chain of infection, healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), outbreak management and occupational exposure risks.

Learners will develop an understanding of how everyday actions, including correct handwashing, appropriate PPE use, safe handling of contaminated materials and accurate incident reporting, contribute to safer care delivery. The course also explains professional responsibilities, confidentiality, documentation and the importance of following workplace policies.

Designed for healthcare workers, care assistants, support workers, cleaning staff, students and other professionals who may encounter infection risks, this training provides practical knowledge for recognising hazards and applying appropriate preventive measures.

By completing the course, learners can strengthen their infection control awareness, support safer practices and contribute to a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Training should be used alongside current workplace procedures, relevant UK guidance and role-specific instruction.

Module 1: Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

• Define infection prevention and control (IPC) and explain its importance in healthcare and social care settings.

• Identify common microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

• Explain what healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are and how they affect individuals.

• Recognise groups at increased risk of infection, including older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

• Describe the responsibilities of staff in maintaining safe and hygienic care environments.

Module 2: Understanding the Chain of Infection

• Identify the six links in the chain of infection: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry and susceptible host.

• Explain how microorganisms spread through direct contact, indirect contact, droplets and airborne transmission.

• Recognise common sources of infection in healthcare and residential care settings.

• Describe how hand hygiene, PPE and environmental cleaning interrupt the chain of infection.

• Apply basic infection prevention principles to reduce the risk of transmission.

Module 3: Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)

• Explain the purpose of Standard Infection Control Precautions and their application to every relevant episode of care.

• Identify potential infection risks associated with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin and contaminated equipment.

• Describe appropriate risk assessment procedures before providing care.

• Explain safe sharps management, environmental cleaning and contaminated linen handling.

• Recognise the importance of applying precautions consistently, regardless of a person's known infection status.

Module 4: Hand Hygiene – Techniques and Best Practice

• Explain why hand hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of infection.

• Identify the World Health Organization's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene.

• Distinguish between when to use soap and water and when to use alcohol-based hand rub.

• Describe the correct handwashing technique, including cleaning fingertips, thumbs, between fingers and wrists.

• Explain why gloves do not replace hand hygiene and identify when hand hygiene is required before and after glove use.

Module 5: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Identify common types of PPE, including gloves, aprons, gowns, masks, eye protection and respiratory protective equipment.

• Select appropriate PPE according to the task, exposure risk and workplace guidance.

• Describe the correct sequence for putting on and removing PPE.

• Explain how incorrect PPE removal can cause cross-contamination.

• Identify safe procedures for disposing of single-use PPE and performing hand hygiene after removal.

Module 6: Environmental Cleaning and Decontamination

• Differentiate between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation.

• Explain why cleaning must precede disinfection or sterilisation where required by the relevant process.

• Identify frequently touched surfaces that require regular cleaning and disinfection.

• Describe safe procedures for handling cleaning products and contaminated equipment.

• Explain how effective environmental decontamination reduces infection transmission.

Module 7: Healthcare Waste Management and Sharps Safety

• Identify different categories of healthcare waste, including clinical, offensive, domestic and sharps waste.

• Explain the importance of correct waste segregation and disposal.

• Recognise the risks associated with needlestick injuries and improperly discarded sharps.

• Describe safe sharps disposal practices, including avoiding needle recapping and overfilling containers.

• Explain how appropriate waste handling protects staff, service users, visitors and the wider environment.

Module 8: Occupational Safety and Exposure Response

• Identify occupational infection risks in hospitals, residential care facilities and community healthcare settings.

• Recognise situations involving exposure to blood, body fluids, contaminated equipment or sharps.

• Describe immediate actions following a potential exposure incident, including appropriate washing or irrigation.

• Explain the importance of prompt reporting, risk assessment and timely medical evaluation after exposure.

• Recognise the role of occupational health services in follow-up, vaccination assessment and ongoing support.

Module 9: Outbreak Management and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• Explain antimicrobial resistance and its implications for healthcare and social care.

• Distinguish between bacteria and viruses and understand why antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.

• Identify possible outbreak warning signs, including linked cases, symptom clusters and sudden increases in staff sickness.

• Explain the importance of promptly escalating suspected outbreaks according to workplace procedures.

• Describe immediate outbreak control measures, including appropriate isolation, enhanced cleaning and communication with responsible personnel.

• Explain how effective IPC practices and responsible antimicrobial use help reduce infection risks and support AMR prevention.

Module 10: Professional Standards, Duty of Care and Continuous Improvement

• Explain professional accountability and the duty of care in infection prevention.

• Recognise the importance of dignity, inclusion, confidentiality and person-centred communication.

• Describe how to maintain accurate, timely and objective infection control records.

• Identify situations requiring incident reporting or escalation of unsafe practices.

• Explain how staff training, audits, risk management and reflective practice improve infection prevention.

• Describe the importance of following organisational policies and applicable UK infection prevention guidance.

Module 11: Final Assessment

By the end of the final assessment, learners should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles of infection prevention and control.

• Identify infection transmission routes and appropriate preventive measures.

• Apply knowledge of hand hygiene, PPE and Standard Infection Control Precautions.

• Recognise safe practices for cleaning, decontamination, waste management and sharps disposal.

• Identify appropriate responses to occupational exposure incidents and suspected outbreaks.

• Demonstrate awareness of professional responsibilities, documentation and continuous improvement.