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Please wait while the page loadsYear 1 Essentials · Free Resource
The IPC basics you use all the time, from hand hygiene to isolation, without the extra waffle.
Chain of infection
Breaking ANY link in the chain prevents spread: Pathogen → Reservoir → Exit → Transmission → Entry → Susceptible Host. Standard precautions target the transmission and entry links.
WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene
| # | Moment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BEFORE touching a patient | Protect patient from your germs |
| 2 | BEFORE a clean/aseptic procedure | Protect patient from germs entering body |
| 3 | AFTER body fluid exposure risk | Protect yourself and environment |
| 4 | AFTER touching a patient | Protect yourself and environment |
| 5 | AFTER touching patient surroundings | Protect yourself and environment |
Soap & Water (40–60 seconds)
Alcohol Gel (20–30 seconds)
Ayliffe technique — 6 steps
Palm to palm → Backs of hands → Interlace fingers → Backs of fingers → Thumbs → Fingertips. All areas must be covered.
Gloves
Contact with blood/body fluids, non-intact skin, mucous membranes. Change between procedures.
Aprons
Direct patient care, risk of splashing, decontamination of equipment. Single-use per patient.
Surgical Mask
Droplet precautions (flu, COVID). Procedures generating splashes. Within 1m of symptomatic patient.
Eye Protection
Risk of splash to face or eyes. Aerosol-generating procedures. Airborne precautions.
Donning order (putting ON)
Doffing order (taking OFF)
| Route | Particle size | Examples | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Direct/indirect touch | MRSA, C. diff, scabies, norovirus | Gloves + apron, isolation, hand hygiene |
| Droplet | >5μm — falls within 1–2m | Influenza, COVID-19, pertussis | Surgical mask, eye protection if close |
| Airborne | <5μm — remains suspended | TB, measles, chickenpox | FFP3/N95 mask, negative pressure room |
Key-Parts
Parts of equipment that must remain sterile (needle tip, catheter tip). Never touch these directly.
Key-Sites
Patient body sites that must be protected (wound, insertion site). Keep the aseptic field around them.
Standard ANTT
For simpler procedures: IM/SC injections, cannulation, simple wound dressings.
Surgical ANTT
For complex procedures: urinary catheterisation, central line care, complex wound care.
| Organism | Spread | Key control measure |
|---|---|---|
| MRSA | Contact | Screening, decolonisation, contact precautions |
| C. difficile | Contact (spores) | Soap & water (not alcohol gel), isolation, antibiotic stewardship |
| VRE | Contact | Contact precautions, environmental cleaning |
| Norovirus | Contact/Faecal-oral | Soap & water, isolation, terminal clean |
| TB (pulmonary) | Airborne | Negative pressure room, FFP3 mask |
Sharps rules — never break these
Needlestick Injury — What to Do
Timing reference
Alcohol hand rub: 20–30 seconds. Soap & water: 40–60 seconds. Surgical scrub: 3–5 minutes. Needlestick — attend Occ Health within 1 hour. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis: must start within 72 hours.
IPC red flags — escalate immediately