Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) is a cornerstone of safe patient care in the NHS. It protects patients, staff, and visitors from healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile, and COVID-19. Everyone working in healthcare has a duty to follow IPC principles consistently.
π Why IPC Matters
- Protects patients from avoidable harm π€
- Protects staff and their families π©ββοΈπ¨ββοΈ
- Prevents outbreaks that disrupt services π«
- Meets legal and professional obligations βοΈ
β Hand Hygiene
- The single most effective measure to reduce infection spread.
- Use the β5 Moments of Hand Hygieneβ (WHO):
- Before patient contact
- Before aseptic procedures
- After body fluid exposure
- After patient contact
- After contact with patient surroundings
- Use alcohol-based hand rub if hands are visibly clean; soap & water if soiled or after caring for patients with diarrhoea (e.g., C. diff). π§΄π°
π§€ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Gloves, aprons/gowns, masks, and eye protection should be worn according to risk assessment.
- Always put on PPE before patient contact and remove carefully to avoid contamination. π§€π·
- Do not use PPE as a substitute for hand hygiene!
π₯ Isolation & Standard Precautions
- Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious π©Έ.
- Isolate patients with known or suspected infections (e.g., MRSA, TB, norovirus).
- Follow signage and local protocols for infection-specific precautions.
π§Ή Environmental Hygiene & Waste
- Maintain a clean environment β wipe down equipment between patients π§½.
- Dispose of sharps immediately in approved bins β never re-sheath needles! π
- Segregate waste: clinical (orange/yellow bags), domestic (black/clear), sharps (yellow bins).
π Key Responsibilities of NHS Staff
- Know and follow your trustβs IPC policies β
- Report outbreaks or breaches immediately π
- Stay up to date with vaccinations (e.g., flu, Hepatitis B, COVID) π
- Challenge poor practice politely but firmly π£οΈ
π¨ What To Do Ifβ¦
- Sharps Injury: Wash thoroughly with soap & water, encourage bleeding, report immediately, attend Occupational Health π
- Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids: Follow local post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol
- Suspected Outbreak: Inform IPC team and escalate to your manager ποΈ
π References & Further Learning