Infection Prevention and Control in Health and Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
L/505/2430
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
24 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence

Aim

In this unit learners will find out how infection spreads and ways to prevent and control infection.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Know about the spread of infection.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Outline how infections spread.

    1.1: How infections spread, for example:

    • direct contact
    • airborne transmission
    • contaminated surfaces

  • 1.2

    State why some individuals are more vulnerable to infection than others.

    1.2: Some individuals are more vulnerable to infection, for example:

    • low immune system as a result of illness
    • their age
    • working in a high-risk area or work or country

  • 1.3

    Explain how breaking the chain of infections minimises their spread.

    1.3: Minimises their spread, for example:

    • the germs may be destroyed
    • the germs can no longer react within the body

2

Know how health and social care or children's and young people’s settings prevent and control infections.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Outline the role of infection control and prevention policies and guidelines in health and social care or children's and young people’s settings.

    2.1: Infection control and prevention policies, for example:

    • take precautions to prevent infection
    • rules to follow to break chain of infection as quickly as possible
    • guidelines on incubation or quarantine periods

    • 2.2

      Describe ways in which infection control and prevention policies and guidelines influence practice in health and social care or children's and young people’s settings.

      2.2: Influence practice, for example:

      • policies set the standard to be maintained
      • promote high standards of cleanliness
      • all workers and users can work together to ensure high standards
      • workers have clear guidelines to follow and can educate users
    3

    Know how personal hygiene contributes to infection prevention and control in health and social care or children's and young people’s settings.

    Assessment Criteria

    • 3.1

      Explain the importance of good personal hygiene in health and social care or children and young people’s settings.

      3.1: Importance of good personal hygiene, for example:

      • prevention of infection
      • infection control
      • role model for other workers and health and social care users
    • 3.2

      Describe personal hygiene, including hand hygiene, routines or practices that support infection prevention and control in health and social care or children and young people’s settings.

      3.2: Routines or practices, for example:

      • use of personal protective equipment
      • waste disposal
      • cleaning the environment and equipment
      • dealing with spillages of blood and bodily fluids
    4

    Understand how to reduce the risk of infection in health and social care or children's and young people’s settings.

    Assessment Criteria

    • 4.1

      Explain how to manage coughing and sneezing to minimise the spread of infection.

      4.1: Manage coughing and sneezing, for example:

      • encouraging someone to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue
      • putting tissue in the bin immediately after use
      • washing hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing nose
    • 4.2

      Explain how to manage spilled blood and bodily fluids to minimise the spread of infection.

      4.2: Manage spilled blood and bodily fluids, for example:

      • dealing with spills as quickly as possible
      • keeping users away from the spillage
      • using personal protective clothing
      • using appropriate solutions to kill bacteria
      • follow hand washing procedures
    • 4.3

      Explain how to dispose of personal protective equipment and other waste appropriately.

      4.3: Dispose of personal protective equipment and other waste appropriately, for example:

      • put waste into appropriate containers, for example, hazardous or non-hazardous
      • make sure bins are never full
      • follow procedures for emptying bins on a regular basis
      • wear personal protective equipment to empty bins
      • follow guidelines for disposing of disposable gloves and aprons
    5

    Be able to encourage staff and clients/children in health and social care or children's and young people’s settings to adopt practices that reduce the risk of infection.

    Assessment Criteria

    • 5.1

      Use appropriate strategies to
      a) inform staff and clients/children of the importance of infection prevention and control
      b) advise staff and clients/children on good practice in reducing the risk of infection.

      5.1: Appropriate strategies, for example:

      • formal letters
      • leaflets
      • on-line or face-to-face training
      • practical demonstrations
      • guidelines