The role of microbiology and virology in infection prevention and control

Details

Title

The role of microbiology and virology in infection prevention and control

Type

Stage One

Module code

HLS214

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of the role of microbiology and virology in infection prevention and control, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures and
• demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to infection prevention and control: 

• outbreaks of infection in hospital and the community
  • the reservoirs, sources, routes of transmission and portals of entry of common HAIs
  • the epidemiology and control of common and important multi-resistant organisms
  • the processes for disinfection and sterilisation in the hospital and primary care settings including their indications advantages and limitations
  • when patient isolation, cohorting and ward closure are used to control or prevent the spread of infection
  • the types of patient isolation, the specific precautions they use and in what circumstance they are used
  • the role of occupational health
  • the role of the infection prevention and control team 

• public health interventions including:
  • principles of active and passive immunisation
  • use of chemoprophylaxis
  • use of vaccines and the schedules of immunisation
  • role of occupational health
  • role of public health
  • role of Public Health England (and equivalent bodies in Devolved Administrations).

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:

• use of simple epidemiological/ statistical techniques in the evaluation of potential outbreaks.

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of the role of microbiology and virology in infection prevention and control to perform the clinical skills necessary to manage under supervision:

• liaison and provision of evidence based advice with respect to infection control, public health and clinical teams and prepare accurate, clear and concise documentation and analyse of outbreak data.