Chief nursing officer launches online infection control training for all NHS staff, UK

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 30 Sep 2005 - 17:00 PDT

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Speaking at the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA) conference in Torquay today, Chief Nurse Christine Beasley launched an online training tool for all NHS staff, designed to raise awareness of the key procedures needed to help reduce infection.

The training resource follows a three-part program covering infection guidelines and principles. It is for both clinical and non-clinical staff. Staff can register and visit topics such as hand hygiene, protection, environmental cleanliness and disposal of waste and sharps. With scenarios to run through and an ongoing individual record of how much you have learned, this is a vital tool to get everyone in the NHS focused on protecting both staff and patients from avoidable infection.

Staff will also be able to print out key sections to distribute to their colleagues and check how well their part of the hospital is following the guidelines. Making the training available online means busy NHS staff can visit the section as and when they have the time. The training stresses that everyone can contribute to reducing infection and therefore it is everyone's business. This supports the Saving Lives delivery programme, that sets the framework for all staff to fullfil their contribution in infection control from the boardroom to the front line.

The training is free and easily accessible so many non-NHS staff will also be able to benefit. The infection Control training programme is part of the NHS Core Learning Programmes Unit which is hosted by South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority on behalf of the wider NHS community and has also been piloted at various sites across the healthcare sector including:

-- Nottingham City Hospital Trust - acute
-- Nottingham City PCT- primary care
-- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
-- Norfolk & Waveney Mental Health Partnership, NHS Trust
-- Medirest/Compass Group - contractor

CNO Christine Beasley said:

" It is vital that everyone in the NHS and outside in other healthcare settings makes reducing infection and improving infection control their business. This innovative approach to training will mean hundreds and thousands of NHS staff can improve their knowledge of infection control and really help in driving down avoidable infections. I would like to see everyone, from Chief Executives and consultants right through to cleaners and healthcare assistants accessing this resource and improving their knowledge and skills."

Related links:
-- Saving Lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infection (HCAI) including MRSA
-- NHS eLearning
-- South Yorkshire NHS

1. Link to infection control training website is second link above: http: home.teknical.com/nhselearn

2. The Infection Control training programme is part of the NHS Core Learning Programmes Unit which is hosted by South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority on behalf of the wider NHS. The Unit is responsible for the maintenance and development of the NHS core learning programmes on behalf of the wider NHS. Further details about the NHS Core Learning Programmes Unit can be found at: southyorkshire.nhs.uk/clpu/index.htm (see third link above) or by ringing Mary Hardie on 0114 226 3318

3. The Saving Lives programme is designed to support NHS Trusts in reducing healthcare associated infections like MRSA . The programme is aimed at the acute hospital setting in the first instance but has real benefits for all care settings. The Department of Health is already looking at ways in which these tools can best be used in other settings. Through the use of clinical interventions and an action planning tool, the programme is designed to help trusts embed infection control across each ward, department or unit.

4. Link to the Saving Lives toolkit is first link above: http://www.dh.gov.uk/reducingmrsa

UK Dept of Health

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