Competency Details

ECDC Infection control and hospital hygiene

Core competencies for infection control and hospital hygiene professionals in the European Union.

https://ecdc.europa.eu/sites/portal/files/media/en/publications/Publications/infection-control-core-competencies.pdf

Name	Linked courses
2.4.1 Evaluate the training needs of the healthcare organisation and of HCWs through consultations and surveys and other methodologies such as gap analysis Type: Knowlege	0
2.4.2 Integrate within the healthcare organisation’s training programme for new employees, basic knowledge and awareness of infection control issues Type: Knowlege	1
2.4.3 Design a training programme on infection control activities and procedures for all employees in the healthcare organisation to update their knowledge and awareness according to the latest data (national, local, newly published) Type: Knowlege	1
2.4.4 Select and provide appropriate training modalities to achieve expected outcomes Type: Knowlege	1
2.4.5 Evaluate the impact of the training sessions Type: Knowlege	0
2.5 Contributing to research Type: Domain	0
2.5.1 Understand the methodology of evaluative and research studies [descriptive or analytic studies (cohort, case-control), randomised trial, efficacy or cost-effectiveness of intervention or technology, and meta-analysis], and interpret and use the results Type: Knowlege	2
2.5.2 Apply standard methodologies of research to the investigation of healthcare-associated infections and to the evaluation of preventive measures Type: Knowlege	1
Area 3. Surveillance and investigation of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) Type: Domain	0
3.1 Designing a surveillance system Type: Domain	0
3.1.1 Advocate HAI surveillance activities (including post-discharge surveillance) and gather the opinions of appropriate professionals in order to rank priorities and formulate objectives Type: Knowlege	0
3.1.2 Formulate the scope, methodology and practical organisation of the HAI surveillance system based on the population served, services provided and professional involvement in order to meet the objectives Type: Knowlege	0
3.1.3 Select and define appropriate indicators Type: Knowlege	1
3.1.4 Develop functional links with the laboratory and pharmacy departments for periodically reviewing laboratory and antimicrobial consumption data Type: Knowlege	1
3.1.5 Identify national and international recommendations, regulations and standard definitions to design HAI surveillance activities, ensuring all the while the need for consistency in applying definitions Type: Knowlege	1
3.1.6 Support the development of the healthcare organisation’s information systems (including patient and laboratory systems) to meet surveillance needs Type: Knowlege	0
3.1.7 Identify the benefits of collaborative organised networks (local, regional and national) and take steps to promote these networks Type: Knowlege	2
3.1.8 Elaborate mechanisms for timely data feedback and ensure that prompt and responsive mechanisms for reporting and feedback are included in the system Type: Knowlege	0
3.2 Managing (implementation, follow up, evaluation) a surveillance system Type: Domain	0
3.2.1 Implement the HAI surveillance system (pilot testing, implementation, kick off, commissioning and evaluation) according to the organisation’s priorities and objectives Type: Knowlege	1
3.2.2 Design and develop systems for effective HAI data collection according to defined methodology Type: Knowlege	1
3.2.3 Analyse HAI data using appropriate epidemiological methods, measures and tests, seeking the assistance of biostatisticians and other experts when necessary Type: Knowlege	0
3.2.4 Identify, and communicate with, the healthcare organisation or public health body if additional epidemiologic investigations (case-control studies, cohort studies, trials) and outbreak investigations are required Type: Knowlege	0
3.2.5 Produce periodic structured reports to interpret significant findings and learning, taking into account the target readership Type: Knowlege	0
3.2.6 Regularly review the risks, needs and priorities in order to adjust surveillance targets and objectives Type: Knowlege	0
3.2.7 Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the HAI surveillance system Type: Knowlege	0
3.2.8 Ensure that reporting and feedback tools are efficiently used to communicate adequately in different contexts (scientific, professional, media, etc.) Type: Knowlege	1
3.2.9 Use feedback tools effectively Type: Knowlege	0
3.3 Identifying, investigating and managing outbreaks Type: Domain	0
3.3.1 Identify clusters of HAIs (or other unusual events) through contacts with clinical units and laboratories, through alerts or through systematic analysis of microbiological laboratory testing Type: Knowlege	1
3.3.2 Manage an outbreak of infections at healthcare organisation or community level Type: Knowlege	1
3.3.3 Carry out descriptive and analytic investigations of the outbreak Type: Knowlege	1
3.3.4 Select appropriate methods of molecular typing and interpret microbiological results in close collaboration with clinical/reference microbiology laboratories Type: Knowlege	1
3.3.5 Formulate and implement a suitable strategy for identifying and communicating internally and externally with concerned actors, including those in primary, hospital and long-term care Type: Knowlege	2
3.3.6 Interpret findings and report them to relevant people by using appropriate means and seek the relevant internal and external personnel advice, including advice from the public health sector Type: Knowlege	1
3.3.7 Use lessons learned from outbreak investigations to inform quality improvement measures Type: Knowlege	1
Area 4. Infection control activities Type: Domain	1
4.1 Elaborating infection control interventions Type: Domain	1
4.1.01 Collect and analyse the relevant documentation for the development of an infection control procedure Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.02 Prepare infection control policies and procedures according to national or local standard operating procedures (SOPs), for example for validated main infection control activities, i.e. standard precautions and hand hygiene Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.03 Isolation and special (barrier) precautions Type: Knowlege	1
4.1.04 Skin disinfection Type: Knowlege	1
4.1.05 Patient pre-operative preparation Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.06 Decontamination and sterilisation of medical devices Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.07 Invasive procedures: vascular and urinary catheterisation, mechanical ventilation, etc. Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.08 Support activities: linen and waste management, housekeeping, food service, environmental safety (air, water), decontamination of environmental surfaces Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.09 Examples for occupational health activities: management following fluid exposure, prevention of inoculation injuries and other infection risks in HCWs Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.10 Immunisation of HCWs and patients Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.11 Prepare a procedure for crisis management in infection control: alert management, recall of patients, recall of potentially contaminated equipment and supplies, reporting and exchange with relevant healthcare professionals Type: Knowlege	0
4.1.12 Contribute to the drawing up of clinical procedures when special precautions for infection control are required Type: Knowlege	0

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ECDC Infection control and hospital hygiene

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