Infection Prevention and Control Procedures

This topic covers the standard infection control practices and procedures that are required to prevent and control the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in primary healthcare settings.

It includes information on hand decontamination, body fluid spillages, using aseptic techniques and sterilising equipment.

The topic should be read in conjunction with related topics on Healthcare-associated Infections, which contains detailed information about specific infectious diseases, and Infection Control Management which contains more information about regulatory compliance.

Related material on clinical waste management and sharps is available in the Waste Disposal and Sharps topics. Material on hygiene in general practice settings can be found in the Cleaning topic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The principal source of information about the symptoms and mode of transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found in Healthcare-associated Infections. Information on infection control measures and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can be found in this topic. The Infection Control Management topic contains details about support, resilience and outbreak management. The Coronavirus Toolkit contains summary information and links to the wide range of COVID-19 content.