Programme in Infection Control for Healthcare Facilities (Online / Remote)
1Summary
A single lapse in infection control can end in the closure of a healthcare facility and legal action against its staff — a real consequence that has played out in hospitals more than once. Bacteria like Staphylococcus (commonly known as hospital bacteria) can build resistance to antibiotics, and while a healthy body can usually fight them off, a patient with a weakened immune system may not be able to.
The Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy addresses exactly this risk, covering how bacteria and pathogens spread even in highly sterilized environments, and what it takes to stop them before they reach patients. It is designed for anyone working to raise healthcare standards in their organization or country.
2Objectives and target group
Who Should Attend?
- Healthcare facility staff.
- Health administration and hospital management professionals.
- Public health managers.
- Medical surveillance staff.
Knowledge and Benefits:
After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:
- Identify the reasons behind the spread of infections in healthcare facilities and their sources.
- Recognize the different types of healthcare-associated infections and the risks they carry.
- Understand the key conditions in medical treatment protocols that limit infection spread.
- Implement effective methods to prevent infections from reaching patients.
3Course Content
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Why Infection Control Cannot Be Optional
- How infections spread within healthcare facilities and their impact on patients and staff.
- Basic infection control principles: personal hygiene, sterilization, and isolation.
- The role of continuous training in keeping infection control practices effective.
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Types and Sources of Healthcare-Associated Infections
- Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs): respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, and Staphylococcus infections.
- Bacterial infections (e.g., MRSA, VRE), viral infections such as influenza and coronavirus, and fungal infections such as Candida.
- Infections related to medical devices, such as catheter-associated infections.
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Hand Hygiene, PPE and Personal Protection
- Proper handwashing techniques and the role of alcohol-based sanitizers.
- Types of Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, masks, protective gowns) and when to use them.
- How to properly wear and remove PPE.
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Cleaning, Sterilization and the Care Environment
- The difference between cleaning and sterilization, and which surfaces need periodic sterilization.
- Effective sterilization techniques: heat, chemicals, and radiation.
- How infections spread through contaminated surfaces, air, and poor ventilation.
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Medical Devices, Equipment and Isolation Procedures
- Managing and sterilizing medical equipment such as syringes and surgical instruments.
- Types of medical isolation (respiratory, contact, surgical) and their objectives.
- How to properly implement isolation procedures.
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Preventing, Treating and Responding to Outbreaks
- Prevention strategies and treatment protocols for hospital-acquired infections.
- The safe and responsible use of antibiotics.
- Procedures and team coordination during an infection outbreak or critical case.
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Auditing and Continuously Improving Infection Control
- Tools for assessing cleanliness and infection control effectiveness, such as checklists.
- How to analyze assessment results and take corrective action.
- Using data and reports to continuously improve preventive strategies.
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Technology's Growing Role in Infection Control
- Smart infection management systems and their role in prevention.
- The increasing use of disposable tools to reduce infection risk.
- Innovations in sterilization and disinfection, such as ultraviolet light.