Infection Prevention and Control
Framing the domain
This domain tests standard and transmission-based precautions, asepsis, and the reasoning behind them. Know the chain of infection and where each intervention breaks it. Understand standard precautions apply to everyone regardless of diagnosis; transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) are added for specific organisms.
Concepts to know
Five moments for hand hygiene; personal protective equipment selection, order of donning and doffing, and the fact that gloves do not replace hand hygiene; aseptic non-touch technique and the difference between critical and non-critical asepsis; safe sharps handling and disposal; sterile field maintenance; cleaning versus disinfection versus sterilisation; management of blood and body fluid exposure; and healthcare-associated infection risks such as indwelling devices, surgical sites and ventilation.
Common traps
- Wearing gloves for multiple patients or tasks without hand hygiene between them.
- Removing PPE in the wrong order and contaminating yourself.
- Assuming a patient "looks clean" and skipping standard precautions.
- Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly soiled (soap and water is required).
- Touching key parts or key sites during a procedure, breaking asepsis without noticing.
Rule of thumb and worked example
Rule of thumb: standard precautions for every person, every time; add transmission-based precautions when the organism and route demand it, and remember hand hygiene is the single most effective measure.
Worked example: A patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis is in a shared bay. Correct action: apply airborne precautions - a fit-checked P2/N95 respirator, negative-pressure room where available, door closed, and a surgical mask on the patient during transport - plus standard precautions. A colleague who wore only gloves and a gown should be advised that this does not address the airborne route.