MPH Public Health (Web-based Learning)

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Infection Prevention & Control

Course unit fact file
Unit code POPH65552
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Summer semester
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit is one of the blended options provided on the MPH. Students choosing Infection Prevention and Control will need to be available for the face-to-face teaching block running 1-3rd July 2024 at The University of Manchester.  The 3 days will involve live presentations and group work. 

Aims

This unit aims to:
  • Identify the impact of healthcare associated infections and provide an introduction to the art and science of Infection Prevention and Control, appraising the evidence-base behind policies, guidance and implementation.
  • Equip students with the skills to apply core principles of Infection Prevention and Control in their professional settings.
 

Learning outcomes

Category of outcome Students should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

A1 Explain the core principles and processes of Infection Prevention and Control

A2 Discuss the implementation of policies and guidance in relation to Infection Prevention and Control in global settings

Intellectual skills

B1 Analyse the evidence-base for healthcare associated infections and discuss the global burden and implications for public health

B2 Critically appraise the evidence-base informing policy, frameworks and best practice in Infection Prevention and Control

B3 Consider the potential impacts of healthcare associated infections across a range of settings, and examine the appropriate responses and mitigations

Practical skills

C1 Apply Infection Prevention and Control principles to real world scenarios

C2 Apply root cause analysis, audit or outbreak investigation of healthcare associated infections in specific settings

Transferable skills and personal qualities D1 Transfer knowledge and skills gained to professional roles

 

 

Syllabus

  • Burden of disease from healthcare associated infections. 
  • Infection Prevention and Control teams and procedures. 
  • Basic communicable disease control. 
  • Audit, surveillance and investigation. 
  • Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. 
  • Practical applications of guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control teams, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment and cleaning. 
  • Case studies (including Staphylococcus aureus, TB, Clostridium difficile, Norovirus, bloodborne viruses, Ebola, Covid-19). 
  • Infection Prevention and Control in global settings. 
  • Practical applications of root cause analysis/audit/outbreak investigation. 
 

Teaching and learning methods

This course unit will include an e-textbook provided through the University library and additional reading of articles, policies and media publications will be required. Peer reviewed publications will be highlighted (and accessible through the University library), and key publications, frameworks and guidelines will be utilised throughout the course. Where relevant, issues relating to wider applications of Infection Prevention and Control in the media will be incorporated. Students will be encouraged to explore their own sources.

The online course materials will include reflective study tasks and topic-based discussions hosted on blackboard. Students will undertake ungraded, self-administered quizzes to gauge their own progress in the online content. Topic-specific learning outcomes for each study week will supplement the intended learning outcomes set out above.

This is a blended unit, and students will need to be available for a 3-day face-to-face teaching block from 1st - 3rd July 2024. During these sessions students will take part in tutorials led by practitioners and experts in Infection Prevention and Control, delivered through a combination of real-time and recorded activities. 

Students will complete a 20-minute presentation as a final unit assesment. Students will have the option to either submit a pre-recorded presentation or deliver the presentation 'live'. 

 

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Students will critically analyse latest frameworks, guidelines and best practice related to Infection Prevention and Control, and the challenges to implementation.
Group/team working
In this module, students will work together to apply and present the principles and practical skills of Infection Prevention and Control.
Project management
Students will be required to consider the development, planning, and implementation of appropriate responses to infection in healthcare settings.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Oral assessment/presentation 100%

Feedback methods

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their final summative presentation within 20 working days of final submission.

Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during the course unit.

Recommended reading

Weston, D (2013) Fundamentals of Infection Prevention and Control: Theory and Practice (2nd ed) John Wiley and Sons: Oxford (available as ebook).

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 30
Independent study hours
Independent study 120

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Helen Davidson Unit coordinator

Additional notes

You can find the Infection Prevention and Control induction video here. If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit leader Helen Davidson via email on helen.m.davidson@manchester.ac.uk. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme team at shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk.

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