Overview
Increased resistance of organisms to anti-microbial therapies, the increased incidence of blood-borne pathogens and the outbreak of pandemic flu are continuing issues surrounding Infection control and the need to maintain strategies to reduce incidences. Developments in infection control practices, based on research and national guidelines, have implications for every action that practitioners perform irrespective of their clinical speciality. Consequently practitioners need to have an increased awareness of wider public health issues, the approaches used and the need to recognise responsibility to promote and manage change.
This module aims to promote critical analysis and reflection of current practice and management of infection and blood borne viruses. It also intends to enable students to identify and initiate practical measures to limit the spread of pathogenic organisms and initiate change.
Content and Modules
What will I study?
National policies
Physiology of micro-organisms affecting man, transmission and routes of entry – including blood borne viruses.
Public health issues and approaches
Epidemiology
Change management
The host response, immunological issues, effects of pharmacological agents on pathogens including blood borne viruses
HIV, the virus. Managing the patient with HIV
Emerging diseases and resistant organisms
Sexually transmitted diseases (other than HIV)
Hepatitis B and C: implications for practice
Preventing and managing wound infection
Infection control specific to acute and critical care patients
Risks to health care professionals from patients/risks to patients from health care professionals – a case study approach eg MRSA, Clostridium difficile, blood borne viruses
Types of isolation: issues for practice including risk assessment/cohort organisation/outbreak management
Community issues in infection control
Student negotiated visit to a specialist area relevant to infection control and blood borne viruses
How will I be assessed?
• A portfolio providing outline of a strategy developed to enhance infection control in the student’s area of practice with evidence of implementation of that strategy (40% weighting: equivalent to 1500 words)
• Critical analysis of the issue focused on and the need for change in light of expert opinion from relevant and contemporary research /literature. This should be a detailed evidence based rationale justifying and critically reflecting on the change in practice which they have initiated as outlined in the portfolio, and should be in an essay format. Word limited: 2,500 words (60% weighting)
The two sections of the assessment package will be marked together and one mark awarded.
If you are already registered on a diploma or degree programme it is advisable to inform your course leader that you will be undertaking this module. This will enable your course leader to undertake the vital task of tracking your academic journey.
Further Information
Location of study: UCS Ipswich
Dates of attendance:
15/01/13
29/01/13
12/02/13
26/02/13
12/03/13
26/03/13
Should you require any further information about this module please contact the Course Leader/Module Leader:
Sara Oxbury-Ellis
T: 01473 338860
E: s.oxbury-ellisucs.ac.uk|