As a care worker, you’re acutely aware of the dangers posed by infections. But are you still practising effective infection control? This week provides the perfect excuse to make sure.
To mark International Infection Prevention Week, we’ve selected six free courses to help you remain highly-skilled and confident at preventing and controlling the spread of infection.
In this article, we’ll answer the following questions:
- What is International Infection Prevention Week?
- Why is IIPW so important to the care sector?
- How can you improve your infection prevention and control skills for free?
What is International Infection Prevention Week?
First held in 1986, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) is held in October each year to raise awareness among healthcare workers and the general public.
IIPW 2024 takes place on 13-19 October, under the theme ‘Moving the Needle’ – a recognition of infection prevention progress and a plea to advance the cause further.
Within this theme, healthcare professionals, patients and the general public are encouraged to remember the importance of best practice in their daily fundamentals:
- Hand hygiene
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Vaccination
- Personal protective equipment
- Respiratory etiquette
- Injection safety.
Why should IIPW matter to care leaders and workers?
Every year in England and Wales, up to 5,000 people die from an infection they caught in hospital – and treating these infections is thought to cost the NHS £1 billion per year.
The infection risk in care homes, where residents are mostly elderly and often living with chronic health conditions, is worryingly high. In the UK, studies have found that:
- 11% of residents have signs of an infection and 10% are on antibiotics
- Respiratory tract, urinary tract and skin infections are most common
- 40% of care homes suffer an annual gastroenteritis outbreak
- 18% of care homes have been colonised by MRSA.
The good news is that up to 70% of healthcare infections could be prevented with good control measures. This IIPW, we want to help you upskill on infection prevention.
6 Free infection prevention and control courses for IPCW 2024
Here at FuturU, we want to make universal free access to healthcare education a reality – because we think it’s wrong that those who care for others have to pay for their own training.
So, here are six free online courses to help freshen-up your infection control skills. Each course is free, CPD-accredited and comes with a free-to-download completion certificate.
1. Infection Control
Meet your responsibility to prevent the spread of infections, protect staff and the general public with this 90-minute course (mandatory if you directly support vulnerable individuals).
Take this course to learn all about:
- The importance of infection control and its impact on public health
- How infections spread via ‘The Chain of Infection’
- Essential hygiene practices to prevent contamination
- Safe handling procedures for needles and sharps
- The legal framework governing infection prevention and control.
Take our free online Infection Control course.
2. Hand Hygiene & PPE
Learn the step-by-step processes for hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) that are crucial for preventing the spread of infections in this 18-minute course.
Take this course to discover how to:
- Correctly wash your hands with soap and water, and alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- Put on gowns, gloves, masks, and eye protection using the proper sequence
- Minimise contamination by using the correct procedure to remove PPE.
Take our free online Hand Hygiene and PPE course.
3. Phlebotomy
Understand the procedure for consenting adults and drawing blood from the crease of the elbow with this 2-hour course – and get ready for the follow-up practical phlebotomy session.
Take this course to get a full understanding of:
- The components of blood and its importance in diagnosis
- How to collect blood correctly, including equipment use
- Infection control practices to protect yourself and others
- Effective patient preparation, communication and care skills.
Take our free online Phlebotomy course.
4. Catheter Care
Equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate and effective care for individuals requiring catheterisation, all with this 70-minute free online course.
Take this course to learn more about:
- The purpose, types, and insertion methods of urinary catheters
- Catheter cleaning, drainage bag management and infection prevention
- How to enhance comfort and dignity for individuals using catheters
- Common catheter problems and when to seek medical advice.
Take our free online Catheter Care course.
5. Continence Care Awareness
Get a detailed overview of continence health, and acquire the skills to support individuals with dignity and respect, in this 75-minute online continence care awareness course.
Take this course to improve your understanding of:
- The types of incontinence, their causes, and how they affect individuals’ lives
- The workings of the bladder and bowel, and how to promote healthy function
- Effective strategies for managing incontinence, including catheter and stoma care
- How to create personalised care plans for individuals with incontinence.
Take our free online Continence Care course.
6. Monkeypox Awareness
It may be primarily found in Western and Central Africa, but it’s essential to be prepared for Monkeypox. Get the information and understanding you need with this 15-minute course.
Take this course for a comprehensive introduction to:
- The origins, symptoms, and transmission methods of monkeypox
- How monkeypox is diagnosed, and the available treatment options
- Preventing and controlling infection with the appropriate use of PPE.
Take our free online Monkeypox Awareness course.
