EDUCATION AND INFECTION-CONTROL AUDIT

Education and training forms an important part of the role of the infection control team. It is equally important that the infection control nurse and doctor have mechanisms in place to monitor staff utilization of the knowledge gained, in their clinical practice. The infection control audit which I have developed in Southern Derbyshire has been used in various health care settings over the last six years to monitor compliance with local infection control policies. It has proved to be a valuable tool in improving standards of infection control practice, by providing opportunities for education and generally raising the awareness of both staff and managers. Although originally developed for hospital use, it has been modified for general practice premises, ambulance stations and vehicles, and dental practices.