Infection Control Nursing Course

Lesson 1 • The Chain of Infection

Explains the six links connecting pathogen to host and how breaking any link prevents disease spread. Directly informs intervention strategies taught throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Epidemiology in Clinical Practice

Introduces incidence, prevalence, and outbreak definitions used in healthcare epidemiology. Nurses apply these metrics to monitor infection trends on their units.

Lesson 3 • Microbiology Essentials for Nurses

Covers bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens relevant to clinical settings. Builds the biological foundation needed for all subsequent infection control decisions.

Lesson 1 • Safe Donning and Doffing Procedures

Details the step-by-step sequence for putting on and removing PPE without self-contamination. Doffing errors are a leading cause of healthcare worker exposure.

Lesson 2 • Hand Hygiene Principles and Technique

Covers the five moments of hand hygiene and correct soap-and-water versus alcohol-based rub technique. Proper hand hygiene is the single most effective infection prevention measure.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment Selection

Teaches evidence-based criteria for choosing gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. Correct PPE selection prevents cross-contamination and protects both nurse and patient.

Lesson 4 • Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette

Addresses source control measures for patients and visitors with respiratory symptoms. These practices reduce droplet and aerosol transmission in waiting and treatment areas.

Lesson 1 • Airborne Precautions and Negative Pressure Rooms

Addresses pathogens transmitted via small aerosol particles and the engineering controls required. Nurses manage airborne isolation rooms and respirator fit requirements.

Lesson 2 • Droplet Precautions in Practice

Covers pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets and the spatial and PPE requirements. Nurses apply droplet precautions during patient care and procedures.

Lesson 3 • Contact Precautions Implementation

Defines contact precautions and the organisms requiring them, including multidrug-resistant pathogens. Nurses learn room assignment, PPE requirements, and equipment management.

Lesson 1 • Sterilization Methods and Monitoring

Reviews steam, ethylene oxide, and low-temperature sterilization methods and their biological monitoring. Nurses verify sterilization efficacy before using reprocessed instruments.

Lesson 2 • Emerging Environmental Decontamination Technologies

Introduces UV-C light and hydrogen peroxide vapor systems as adjuncts to manual cleaning. Nurses understand the role and limitations of no-touch decontamination technologies.

Lesson 3 • Disinfectant Selection and Use

Covers chemical disinfectant classes, contact times, and surface compatibility for clinical environments. Correct product selection and dwell time are essential for pathogen elimination.

Lesson 4 • Terminal and Routine Room Cleaning

Distinguishes daily maintenance cleaning from terminal cleaning after patient discharge. Nurses coordinate with environmental services to ensure thorough decontamination.

Lesson 1 • Surgical Site Infection Prevention

Covers preoperative skin preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis timing, and postoperative wound care. Nurses reinforce SSI prevention across the perioperative continuum.

Lesson 2 • Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

Addresses indications for urinary catheter insertion, aseptic technique, and maintenance care. Nurses lead catheter removal initiatives to reduce unnecessary device days.

Lesson 3 • Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention

Covers insertion and maintenance bundle components that reduce CLABSI rates. Nurses apply maximal sterile barrier technique and daily line necessity assessment.

Lesson 4 • Clostridioides difficile Infection Prevention

Addresses CDI transmission risks, contact precautions, and the critical role of soap-and-water hand hygiene. Nurses apply antibiotic stewardship principles to reduce CDI incidence.

Lesson 1 • Interpreting HAI Rates and Benchmarks

Explains standardized infection ratios, rate calculations, and national benchmark comparisons. Nurses use these metrics to assess unit performance and prioritize interventions.

Lesson 2 • Surveillance Methodology and Case Definitions

Teaches standardized case definitions and data collection methods used in HAI surveillance. Consistent definitions ensure comparable data across units and facilities.

Lesson 3 • Using Data to Drive Improvement

Connects surveillance data to root cause analysis and targeted prevention initiatives. Nurses translate data findings into actionable bedside practice changes.

Lesson 1 • Recognizing and Declaring an Outbreak

Defines outbreak thresholds and the steps for confirming a cluster above baseline rates. Early recognition limits the scope and duration of healthcare outbreaks.

Lesson 2 • Containment and Control Measures

Covers cohorting, enhanced precautions, visitor restrictions, and unit closure decisions. Nurses implement and monitor control measures at the point of care.

Lesson 3 • Epidemiological Investigation Steps

Walks through case finding, line listing, and hypothesis testing in a structured investigation. Nurses contribute clinical data and patient history to the investigation team.

Lesson 1 • Nursing Role in Antibiotic Stewardship

Defines nursing contributions to stewardship including culture collection, allergy reconciliation, and de-escalation support. Nurses are frontline stewardship partners.

Lesson 2 • Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance

Explains enzymatic inactivation, efflux pumps, and target modification as resistance mechanisms. Understanding resistance biology informs stewardship and infection control priorities.

Lesson 3 • Decolonization Strategies

Covers universal and targeted decolonization protocols using chlorhexidine bathing and nasal decontamination. Nurses implement and monitor decolonization compliance in high-risk units.

Lesson 4 • Priority Multidrug-Resistant Organisms

Profiles MRSA, VRE, CRE, and ESBL-producing organisms and their clinical and infection control implications. Nurses apply organism-specific precautions and screening protocols.