#Asepsis infection control code
#Asepsis infection control professional

Table 1: examples of breaking the chain LinkĬompleting prescribed course of antibiotics reduces the opportunity for the pathogen to become resistant to treatment. This could be for a variety of factors such as age, lack of immunity, or underlying health conditions. Susceptible host is the person who is vulnerable to infection. This could be by inhalation, through mucus membranes (linings of the nose and mouth), or via a wound or invasive device such as a catheter. This could be from one person’s hands to another person, through touching a contaminated object, through the air, or contact with blood or body fluids.Ī portal of entry is how pathogens enter another person. This could be through coughs and sneezes of someone with a respiratory illness such as flu, or through the faeces or vomit of someone with gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting).Ī means of transmission is how pathogens are moved from one person or place to another. For example, this could be a person, the environment or food and drink.Ī portal of exit is how pathogens leave the reservoir. For example, norovirus can cause diarrhoea and vomiting, or the influenza virus can cause flu.Ī reservoir is where pathogens live and replicate. There are opportunities to break the chain at any link, and the more links that are broken the greater the protection.Ī pathogen is the microorganism or germ that causes disease. Understanding how infection is spread is crucial for effective IPC.

#Asepsis infection control code

Providers registered with the Care Quality Commission ( CQC) must comply with the regulations and consider the Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections in the delivery of their services.

#Asepsis infection control professional

The information within this resource draws upon several sources including the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence ( NICE), NHS, government departments and professional regulators. This document does not replace any clinical or public health advice. IPC practices should be based on person centred care and the best available evidence and guidance – see appendix 1 (below) for further information. Information within this resource may be useful to unpaid carers.

Unpaid carers are family and friends who provide care to loved ones. The term ‘worker’ is used to describe anyone providing adult social care or support. Within this resource, the terms ‘people’ and ‘person’ are used to describe anyone drawing on adult social care or support. The term ‘pathogen’ is used throughout to describe microorganisms or germs which can infect people and cause disease. High standards of IPC reduce the opportunities for infections to spread and for resistance to develop. This resource should be used as a guide in the practice of adult social care, to ensure people receive person-centred support that follows effective IPC measures.Īntimicrobial resistance is a global problem that makes infections harder to treat with existing medicines. Not all the contents of this resource will be applicable to every situation or type of care and support.

People who have contact with social care should have confidence in the cleanliness and hygiene of services and services provided.

Preventing and reducing the transmission of infectious diseases is essential to ensuring people stay healthy. It is for those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England.Īdult social care is a broad term covering a wide range of activities, outside of NHS-provided services, which help people who are older, living with disability or physical or mental illness, or people with a learning disability to live independently and stay well and safe.

This resource contains general infection prevention and control ( IPC) principles to be used in combination with advice and guidance on managing specific infections.