Infection Prevention and Control Lead and Link Practitioner Course Acute and Forensic Mental Health Services

AIMS

• To provide knowledge and facilitate learning and the development of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) lead/ link practitioners including a knowledge base for the 10 criteria of The Health & Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (DH) 2022
• To provide workshop opportunities to enhance learning
• To generate debate and critical appraisal
• To empower IPC lead and link practitioners to role model and drive appropriate infection control practice in their place of work embedding IPC processes
• To facilitate the implementation, maintenance and assurance of Standard Infection Control Precautions and related principles of practice in acute and forensic mental health

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• To understand the regulatory frameworks and their application to providers of mental health services
• To understand and discuss the role and responsibilities of IPC leads and link practitioners
• To discuss the Chain of Infection and utilise this in understanding the transmission of infections most commonly seen in mental health settings
• To identify and discuss principles of infection control and describe how the lead/ link practitioner can encourage and support their implementation
• To perform and teach correct hand-washing procedures
• To discuss the implementation, maintenance and assurance of key practice issues in mental health settings inc. outbreak management
• To develop skills to be able to risk assess IPC issues and develop audit questions and action plans to reduce the risk of transmission of infection within their environment
• To identify and discuss Improving infection prevention and control to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance