Infection Control
6 Credits (ECTS)
Infection Control
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
Module Description
This module introduces students to essential infection control skills routinely practiced in all clinical settings.
It covers fundamental techniques such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization procedures, and isolation protocols.
The module also emphasizes the importance of understanding and complying with Maltese legislation related to infection control.
By integrating local legal requirements, the module ensures that nursing professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to maintain a safe and hygienic environment, preventing the spread of infections and protecting both patients and healthcare workers in Malta.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- Possess a minimum qualification at MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing.
Upon completion of this programme the candidate will have obtained a total of 4600 hours, half of which will be clinical hours and one third theory as per EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at either:
– Academic IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
OR
– OET with a minimum of a ‘B’ grade in speaking and a minimum of ‘C+’ in writing, reading, and listening.
Please ensure that you have all requirements in place, as stipulated on the website of the Council of Nurses and Midwives.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
- Nurses who are in possession of an MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing, who need to upgrade their knowledge, skills, and competences in order to apply for registration with the Maltese Council of Nurses and Midwives as first level nurses.
- Non-EU trained nurses who are in possession of a minimum MQF Level 5 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing, seeking a bridging course to enable them to apply for registration with the Maltese Council of Nurses and Midwives as first level nurses.
Career Paths
The programme aims to get nurses who are non-EU nationals adequately trained so that they can register as first level nurses in Malta.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Additional Info
Reading for the entire Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies as presented herein costs €5,000.*
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
*** For the price of individual modules, please contact the IDEA Academy team.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Critically analyse and apply the principles of infection prevention and control to patient care in a range of clinical settings based on contemporary knowledge as best practice guidelines.
- Critically appraise the evidence base underpinning population-based infection prevention and control including common infections, Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), their symptoms, and their treatments.
- Demonstrate evidence-based care to minimise the risk of infection and its spread, in a range of nursing settings and practising safe, effective, ethical, person-centred, holistic care.
- Critically appraise infection prevention and control national and local policy development and decision making including the concepts of epidemiology, environmental risk, and legal requirements of reporting of communicable diseases.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- The responsibilities of the nurse related to infection prevention and control skills within different clinical settings as established by ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM).
- Knowledge of legal and ethical considerations and practices according to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta, January 2020.
- Knowledge of the existing official policies on infection prevention and control e.g., Mater Dei Hand Hygiene Policy.
- Defining infectious diseases, types of infections e.g. viral, bacterial, fungal, others; the disease transmission cycle, and modes of infection transmission.
- Principles of Infection Prevention and Control in clinical settings.
- National infection prevention and control.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Describe the clinical procedure to maintain hand hygiene and avoid cross transmission.
- Collect and handle specimen collection safely and without contamination.
- Correct use of personal protective clothing and equipment.
- Take appropriate action to avoid needle stick injuries.
- Identify patients with hygiene support needs and devise a care plan for appropriate, patient centred, personal care.
- Refer patients requiring help to available services.
- Follow policy to report signs of infection or signs of infection risk in the clinical environment.
- Demonstrate correct and safe disposal of different types of waste following established guidelines and procedures.
- Interpret and explain infection control data and test results.
- Implement transmission-based precautions as advised by Infection Control Team.
- Show competence in aseptic non touch technique as needed when performing relevant tasks for example when dealing with invasive devices.
- Analyse different situations in infection prevention and control practices.
- Explain evidence based best practice for the prevention of infection in post-operative surgical sites.
- Acquire the ability to communicate information relating to infection control and prevention to relevant individuals and organisations.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.