Infection Control: Core Principles for Nursing Practice

Course overview

This course equips registered nurses (RNs), licensed professional nurses (LPNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with the foundational principles of infection control required for safe patient care. It is aligned with the New York State Board of Nursing's seven mandated elements. Learning Objectives: 1) Explain the professional responsibility of nurses to follow and monitor evidence-based infection control practices. 2) Describe modes and mechanisms of disease transmission in healthcare settings and identify strategies for prevention and control. 3) Apply engineering and work practice controls to minimize opportunities for exposure to infectious materials. 4) Demonstrate appropriate selection and use of barriers and personal protective equipment to prevent patient and healthcare worker contact with infectious agents. 5) Implement principles for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization to maintain a safe environment for patient care. 6) Discuss prevention strategies that protect healthcare workers. 7) Recognize the signs of sepsis and apply current best practices in sepsis screening, prevention, and education.