Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Practice
Prevent the spread of infectious agents through infection control practices and regular audits to ensure preventive measures are in place
Type
Domain
Competency Area
Quality and Patient Safety
Levels
Adhere to organisation’s infection control and prevention processes
Select and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Practice standard and transmission based precautions in accordance with patient’s conditions
Practice strict hand hygiene in accordance with five moments of patient’s contact
Reinforce appropriate infection control practices to patients and caregivers
Carry out organisation’s infection control and prevention processes
Adhere to standard and transmission based precautions
Identify unusual exfoliated skin conditions and respiratory secretions and escalate to staff nurses in charge
Carry out appropriate sterilisation and disinfection of medical equipment and instruments used
Teach patients and caregivers on appropriate infection control practices
Report audit outcomes and provide recommendations
Contact tracing of infectious agents exposure
Conduct environment audits on the proper application of infection control and sanitation procedures within the department
Monitor compliance of infection control and prevention procedures
Identify patients with risk factors of infectious diseases
Communicate required infection control care plans to support care staff
Manage enquiries from patient and family members regarding isolation precaution required
Implement international guidelines and best practices in care of invasive medical devices
Conduct internal clinical audits on the proper application of basic infection control and prevention procedures within the settings
Monitor and identify incidences of non- compliance
Provide education to facilitate patients’ and caregivers’ understanding of infection control practices
Monitor and escalate incidences of hospital acquired infections in patients and staff, where appropriate
Conduct in-service infection control and prevention training to staff
Formulate organisation’s infection control and prevention procedures
Establish documented processes for isolation precaution in the unit
Facilitate and drive quality improvement activities for infection prevention and control measures
Evaluate infection prevention and control training needs for nurses
Facilitate multidisciplinary collaborations in containing infectious diseases
Perform contact tracing of infectious agents exposure
Undertake regular reviews and evaluations of practice and initiate change as appropriate
Review policies, procedures and standards to prevent and control infection
Oversee division’s infection control and prevention procedures
Appraise the impact of epidemiological and professional trends on infection control practices
Formulate assessments of infection control hazards, risk factors and strategies to eliminate or minimise risks
Formulate recommendations on prevention and control of infection informed by evidenced-based research
Appraise measures to prevent and control infection