Infection control: how to achieve and sustain best practice

Hand-washing and other daily practices in healthcare are key to infection prevention and control, but complacency can creep in. A new framework aims to help

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is the clinical application of microbiology in practice, RCN guidance states.

Hand hygiene remains a key element, while other factors include using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively; the cleaning and care of any devices, such as catheters; safe handling and disposing of sharps; management of spillages; and maintaining a clean clinical environment, says the guidance.

• RELATED: Hand hygiene: the importance of decontamination for infection control

It can be easy to become complacent about everyday tasks such as