Healthcare associated infection (HCAI) compendium of guidance and resources

This compendium collates current guidance, guidelines, policy and legislation, and other resources related to infection prevention and control (IPC) into a single source. This compendium will be routinely updated (at least quarterly) to incorporate new or updated resources and remove resources that have been withdrawn.

Version 11, 15 January 2024

Updates to the previous version are highlighted in yellow

1. Antimicrobial resistance and prescribing

24 January 2019: 

16 May 2022:

3 April 2017:

  • Antimicrobial Resistance: resource handbook – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Identifies current national policy, guidance and supporting materials in relation to the infection prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial stewardship in order to aid in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance | Identifies current national policy, guidance and supporting materials in relation to the infection prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial stewardship in order to aid in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance.

May 2021 (withdrawn)

18 May 2022

22 May 2016

18 December 2014

  • Overview | Neonatal infection | Quality standards | NICE: This quality standard covers preventing infection in newborn babies, treating pregnant women whose babies are at risk of infection, and treating newborn babies with suspected or confirmed infection. It includes when to give antibiotics to prevent and treat neonatal infection. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement | National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence.

2020 (page not found)

  • Antimicrobial-Prescribing-in-Dentistry-2020-online-version.pdf (cgdent.uk): The aim of this guidance is to help healthcare prescribers understand the role of antimicrobial agents in management of oral and dental infections. The guidance also aims to help rationalise and improve standards of antimicrobial prescribing within dentistry and to improve patient care | Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and Faculty of Dental Surgery.

March 2018

November 2016

May 2023

  • AMR local indicators: AMR local indicators are publicly available data intended to raise awareness of antibiotic prescribing, AMR, HCAI, IPC and AMS; and to facilitate the development of local action plans | UK Healthy Security Agency – Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

2. General IPC

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

17.04.2014

Overview | Infection prevention and control | Quality standards | NICE

This quality standard covers preventing and controlling infection in adults, young people and children receiving healthcare in primary, community and secondary care settings. It includes preventing healthcare-associated infections that develop because of treatment or from being in a healthcare setting. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

01.11.2016

WHO guidelines on core components of infection prevention & control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These new guidelines on the core components of IPC programmes at the national and facility level will enhance the capacity of Member States to develop and implement effective technical and behaviour modifying interventions. They are also intended to support countries in the development of their own national protocols for IPC and AMR action plans and to support health care facilities as they develop or strengthen their own approaches to IPC.

World Health Organization

18.11.2019

Minimum requirements for infection prevention and control programmes.

The purpose of this document is to present and promote the minimum requirements for IPC programmes at the national and health care facility level, identified by expert consensus according to available evidence and in the context of the WHO core components.

World Health Organization

28.04.2022

Health and Care Act 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)

An Act to make provision about health and social care.

UK Government

13.12.2022

Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance

This document sets out the code of practice (the code) on the prevention and control of infections under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (H&SCA 2008). This act sets out the overall framework for the regulation of health and adult social care activities by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It will apply to registered providers of all health and adult social care in England.

Department of Health and Social Care

25.05.2022

Global Strategy on Infection Prevention and Control

Draft resolution proposed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Colombia, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vanuatu.

World Health Organization

20.06.2022

Standard precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire

 

This aide-memoire presents a concise overview of important advice for implementation of standard precautions and key elements at a glance

World Health Organization

20.06.2022

Transmission-based precautions for the prevention and control of infections: aide-memoire

This aide-memoire provides important advice for implementation of transmission based precautions and key elements on TBP in health care.

World Health Organization

13.12.2022

Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance 

This document sets out the code of practice (the code) on the prevention and control of infections under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (H&SCA 2008). This act sets out the overall framework for the regulation of health and adult social care activities by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It will apply to registered providers of all health and adult social care in England. Department of Health and Social Care
13.06.2022 National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Addendum for Infection Prevention and Control within Neonatal Settings (NNU) (scot.nhs.uk)This addendum provides additional guidance to chapters 1,2 and 3 of the NIPCM (Scotland) specific to NNUs including, placement of neonates/assessment of infection risk, management of healthcare infection incidents, outbreaks and data exceedances, and personal care of neonates. National Services Scotland 

3. Aseptic technique

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

24.02.2020

Understanding Aseptic Technique | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)

Aseptic technique is recognised as an essential component of all infection prevention programmes but terminology used to define it varies. This publication is an RCN investigation into clinical views to guide the practice of aseptic technique. BD have funded this report. BD has had no influence on, or involvement in its content.

Royal College of Nursing

01.01.2014

epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England

This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals.  This guideline includes recommendations on asepsis.

Journal of Hospital Infection

4. Preventing infections associated with vascular access devices

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

01.01.2014

epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England

This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals.  This guideline includes recommendations for preventing infections associated with the use of intravascular access devices.

Journal of Hospital Infection

5. Preventing urinary tract infections

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

23.11.2018

Overview | Urinary tract infection (catheter-associated): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for catheter-associated urinary tract infection in children, young people and adults. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

31.10.2018

Overview | Urinary tract infection (recurrent): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in children, young people and adults who do not have a catheter. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

31.10.2018

Overview | Urinary tract infection (lower): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for lower urinary tract infection (also called cystitis) in children, young people and adults who do not have a catheter. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

27.07.2022

Overview | Urinary tract infection in under 16s: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE

 

This guideline covers diagnosing and managing first or recurrent upper or lower urinary tract infections in infants, children and young people. It aims to achieve more consistent clinical practice, based on accurate diagnosis and effective management.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

27.07/2022

Overview | Urinary tract infection in children and young people | Quality standards | NICE

This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing urinary tract infection in infants, children and young people (under 16). It includes new and recurrent infections of the upper or lower urinary tract. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

11.06.2015

Overview | Urinary tract infections in adults | Quality standards | NICE

This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing urinary tract infection in adults (aged 16 and over), including adults using urinary catheters. It includes assessment, antibiotic treatment and referral for specialist assessment. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

18.09.2013

Overview | Lower urinary tract symptoms in men | Quality standards | NICE

This quality standard covers diagnosing and managing lower urinary tract symptoms in men (aged 18 and over). It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

19.10.2020

Urinary tract infection: diagnostic tools for primary care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Quick reference materials for primary care to provide a simple, effective, economical and empirical approach to the diagnosis of urinary tract infections and minimise the risk of treatment failure and emergence of antibiotic resistance so improving safe care.

Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

01.01.2014

epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England

This second update provides systematically developed, evidence-based broad statements (principles) of good practice for the preventions of HCAI in hospitals.  This guideline includes recommendations for preventing infections associated with the use of short-term indwelling urethral catheters.

Journal of Hospital Infection

NHS England » Urinary catheter tools

The urinary catheter tools have been developed collaboratively with national experts to support providers in delivering consistent evidence based catheter care. The use of the tools needs to be supported by strong leadership and education.

NHS England

DRIPP Urinary Catheter Resources

A urinary catheter quick reference guide and summary of evidence.

Improving Device Related Infection Prevention Practice (DRIPP)

6. Surgical site infection

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

19.08.2020

Overview | Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment | Guidance | NICE

This guideline covers preventing and treating surgical site infections in adults, young people and children who are having a surgical procedure involving a cut through the skin. It focuses on methods used before, during and after surgery to minimise the risk of infection.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

03.01.2018

Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection, 2nd edition.

Guidance for the prevention of SSI based 28 systematic reviews of the evidence. Includes a list of 29 concrete recommendations on 23 topics for the prevention of SSI in the pre-, intra and postoperative periods.

World Health Organization

7. Respiratory infections (including pneumonia)

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

16.09.2019

Overview | Pneumonia (community-acquired): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for community-acquired pneumonia. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

16.09.2019

Overview | Pneumonia (hospital-acquired): antimicrobial prescribing | Guidance | NICE

This guideline sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for hospital‑acquired pneumonia. It does not cover ventilator‑associated pneumonia. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

07.07.2022

Overview | Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE

This guideline was developed before the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers diagnosing and managing pneumonia in adults who do not have COVID-19. It aims to improve accurate assessment and diagnosis of pneumonia to help guide antibiotic prescribing and ensure that people receive the right treatment.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

28.09.2022

National guidance for the management of children in hospital with viral respiratory tract infections (2022)

 

These recommendations on the management of children in hospital with viral respiratory tract infections in hospital settings are for clinicians to support planning in partnership with local infection prevention control teams.

While some recommendations describe organisational structures in England, services in the devolved nations are encouraged to adopt them to fit local models.

This guidance is supported by the Infection Prevention Society.

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

11.01.2023

XBB.1.5 Rapid risk assessment

Rapid risk assessment by the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) of the public health risk associated with this variant.

World Health Organization

28.09.2022

National guidance for the management of children in hospital with viral respiratory tract infections

These recommendations on the management of children in hospital with viral

respiratory tract infections in hospital settings are for clinicians to support

planning in partnership with local infection prevention control teams.

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

8. Health technical memoranda/Health building notes

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 00) Building engineering in the health sector

HTM 00 provides guidance on the design, installation and operation of a healthcare facility from an engineering and environmental perspective.

HTM 00 is not intended to cover every possible scenario, for example where a patient is receiving treatment in their own home. This 2014 edition supersedes all previous versions of HTM 00.

 

Department for Health and Social Care

09.05.2023

NHS England » (HTM 03-01) Specialised ventilation for healthcare buildings

These documents give comprehensive advice and guidance on the legal requirements, design implications, maintenance and operation of specialised ventilation in healthcare premises providing acute care.

In other types of healthcare a risk assessment of the nature of the treatment being delivered, condition of the patients and intensity of use needs to be undertaken by those responsible for the facility in order to determine the extent to which this guidance will be applicable.

Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 (2021) supersedes all previous versions of Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 – ‘Specialised ventilation in healthcare premises’ (2007). It also supersedes HTM 2025 (1994) and DV4 (1983)

 

Department for Health and Social Care

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 04-01) Safe water in healthcare premises

This Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) gives guidance on the legal requirements, design applications, maintenance and operation of hot and cold water supply, storage and distribution systems in all types of healthcare premises.

The guidance is for:

healthcare management

water safety groups

design engineers

estate managers

operations managers

contractors

supply chain businesses

It also provides advice and guidance on the control and management of the risk posed by Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other water borne pathogens within a healthcare setting.

Department for Health and Social Care

07.03.2023

NHS England » (HTM 07-01) Management and disposal of healthcare waste

HTM 07-01 details the environmental benefits of the safe management and disposal of healthcare waste, It also presents opportunities for cost savings, safer working practices and reducing carbon emissions related to the management of waste.

Department of Health and Social Care

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 01-01) Decontamination of surgical instruments

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-01 explains the management of decontamination and the various ways to sterilize reusable medical devices used in acute care.

Department for Health and Social Care

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 01-04) Decontamination of linen for health and social care

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-04 gives guidance for those who process linen used in health and adult social care settings, such as:

·        laundries

·        launderette operators

·        linen processors

 

Department for Health and Social Care

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 01-05) Decontamination in primary care dental practices

HTM 01-05 is intended to raise the quality of decontamination work in primary care dental services by covering the decontamination of reusable instruments within dental facilities.

Department for Health and Social Care

31.08.2021

NHS England » (HTM 01-06) Management and decontamination of flexible endoscopes

Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-06 provides information on the management and decontamination of flexible endoscopes.

The guidance consists of 5 parts:

·        policy and management

·        design and installation

·        operational management

·        validation and verification (including storage/drying cabinets)

·        testing methods

 

Department for Health and Social Care

19.08.2021

NHS England » (HBN 00-09) Infection control in the built environment

This building note details each stage of a project, from initial concept through to post-project evaluation, in relation to infection control. A building’s design can help infection prevention and control by providing an environment that is easy to clean and maintain. It is important that these features are designed into a project from the beginning.

Department of Health and Social Care

19.08.2021

NHS England » (HBN 00-10) Design for flooring, walls, ceilings, sanitary ware and windows

HBN 00-10 part A to D: includes guidance on flooring, walls and ceilings, sanitary assemblies and windows in healthcare facilities.

These documents outline the policy and performance requirements for flooring, walls, ceilings, sanitary assemblies and windows used in healthcare facilities.

NHS England

07.03.2023

NHS England » (HTM 07-01) Management and disposal of healthcare waste

HTM 07-01 details the environmental benefits of the safe management and disposal of healthcare waste, It also presents opportunities for cost savings, safer working practices and reducing carbon emissions related to the management of waste.

Department of Health and Social Care

10.05.2023

Health Building Note 16-01: Facilities for mortuaries, including body stores and post-mortem services

This publication has been produced for use by NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts. However, it has been designed to be useful for other organisations involved in the operation, planning or use of mortuary and post-mortem facilities in England, for either joint/shared service or individual organisation use.

This publication replaces HBN 20 – ‘Facilities for mortuary and post-mortem room services’ (2005).

 

NHS England

9.  Hand hygiene

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

15.01.2009

WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care

The WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care provide health-care workers (HCWs), hospital administrators and health authorities with a thorough review of evidence on hand hygiene in health care and specific recommendations to improve practices and reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and HCWs. The present Guidelines are intended to be implemented in any situation in which health care is delivered either to a patient or to a specific group in a population. Therefore, this concept applies to all settings where health care is permanently or occasionally performed, such as home care by birth attendants.

World Health Organization

05.05.2012

Hand hygiene in outpatient and home-based care and long-term care facilities: a guide to the application of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy and the “My Five Moments For Hand Hygiene” approach

The scope of this document is to address practical aspects related to the performance of routine hand hygiene while providing outpatient care.

World Health Organization

09.02.2009

A guide to the implementation of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy

This guide to implementation has been developed to assist health-care facilities to implement improvements in hand hygiene in accordance with the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care.

World Health Organization

Skin at work

Work-related skin disease (eg dermatitis) can affect people in a wide range of occupations. This site shows how the APC approach (avoid, protect, check) can reduce the chances of suffering painful and sometimes debilitating skin conditions.

Health and Safety Executive

10. Personal protective equipment

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work (hse.gov.uk)

Resources to support managing risks using PPE, selection and use, maintenance, using the right type of PPE, and product safety and supply.

Health and Safety Executive

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) (hse.gov.uk)

This website provides information and tools to help employers select and manage the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace. The information is applicable to disposable and reusable masks, breathing apparatus and powered respirators.

 

Health and Safety Executive

2013

Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide (hse.gov.uk)

This fourth edition provides essential guidance on why respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be used, what the law says and how to select RPE that is adequate and suitable. It also includes a useful dos and don’ts list for the management and supervision of RPE use.

The guidance is aimed principally at employers and the self-employed who wear, or are responsible for workers who wear, RPE. It will also be useful for health and safety specialists, manufacturers and suppliers of RPE.

It has been prepared in consultation with industry and updates the 2005 edition.

Health and Safety Executive

Glove Awareness Week Resources | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)

Resources for use in the workplace and online to raise awareness of appropriate glove use.

Royal College of Nursing

14.02.2022

(Withdrawn)

Transparent face mask technical specification – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A technical specification, based on test methods and some of the design and performance requirements used in established/recognised standards, for transparent face masks, some of which could be considered for use as an alternative to Type IIR medical masks.

 

Cabinet office and Department of Health and Social Care

11. Safe management of patient care equipment and the care environment

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

1 July 2023

Off-label use of a medical device – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance on the off-label use of medical devices in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

28 January 2021

Single-use medical devices: implications and consequences of re-use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance for healthcare professionals on using single-use medical devices.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

1 December 2013

Single-use medical devices: leaflet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What ‘single-use’ means and what symbol is used by manufacturers to show this.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

1 August 2013

Top 10 tips on endoscope decontamination – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance for healthcare professionals on effectively decontaminating endoscopes.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

22 January 2020

Overview | Reducing the risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) from surgical instruments used for interventional procedures on high-risk tissues | Guidance | NICE

Evidence-based recommendations on reducing the risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) from surgical instruments used for interventional procedures on high-risk tissues. These procedures on high-risk tissues are intradural surgery on the brain (including the pituitary gland) and spinal cord, neuroendoscopy, and surgery on the retina or optic nerve.

National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence

17 May 2023

Medical devices regulations: compliance and enforcement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Information on MHRA’s enforcement duties and how to report a non-compliant medical device.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

5 September 2016

Decontamination and reprocessing of medical devices for health-care facilities (who.int)

Instrument to provide guidance to health managers and health workers on required infrastructures and standard procedures for effective sterilization, and decontamination reprocessing of medical devices. 

World Health Organization

5 July 2016

Single-use medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

UK guidance on re-manufacturing of Single-use medical devices

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

25 February 2021

Managing medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance for healthcare and social services organisations on managing medical devices in practice

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

31 October 2014

Symbols used on medical devices: poster – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Some of the different symbols used on medical devices.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

11 April 2014

Devices in practice: checklists for using medical devices – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Checklists providing a practical guide to using medical devices.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

2016

Decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits and related items at home and in hospital: guidance from a Joint Working Group of the Healthcare Infection Society and Infection Prevention Society (his.org.uk)

This guidance provides practical recommendations to support the safe decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits for healthcare professionals to use and communicate to other groups such as parents and carers.

Healthcare Infection Society and Infection Prevention Society

2022

Final rinse water quality for flexible endoscopy to minimize the risk of post-endoscopic infection. Report from Healthcare Infection Society Working Party – Journal of Hospital Infection

This evidence- and expert-based guidance document aims to improve patient safety and reduce risks of decontamination-related healthcare-associated infections by standardising the interpretation of endoscopy final rinse water results through monitoring and assessing the risk of infection.

Healthcare Infection Society

1 June 2022

Automated room decontamination: report of a Healthcare Infection Society Working Party – Journal of Hospital Infection

aims to provide useful, generic information that will help healthcare professionals make a well-informed choice if they are intending to buy or rent/lease the automated technology. The aim is to provide guidance on the types of device available, the various active chemicals (where relevant), the biocidal mechanism underpinning the technology, suggested information to be sought from the supplier before purchase, and general precautions recommended for the safe and effective use of the equipment.

Healthcare Infection Society

1 January 2019

Guidance for the decontamination of intracavity medical devices: the report of a working group of the Healthcare Infection Society – Journal of Hospital Infection

The guidance contained in this report is intended to be used by infection prevention and control teams, decontamination leads, and device users/reprocessors to help in their local approach to risk assessment and decontamination of these devices.

Healthcare Infection Society

June 2020 2020 Guidance on Decontamination of Equipment for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy – The British Society of GastroenterologyRevised guidance on the decontamination of equipment for gastrointestinal endoscopy. British Society of Gastroenterology

18 November 2022

Decontamination and reprocessing of medical devices for health care facilities: aide-memoire

This aide-memoire presents a concise overview of important advice and key elements of decontaminating and reprocessing of medical devices for health care facilities.

World Health Organization

27 October 2022

Infection prevention and control: incubators on neonatal units

This document sets out to highlight and reinforce general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with local guidance and manufacturer’s instructions when decontaminating and handling incubators in neonatal units during and after patient use.

 

 

UK Health Security Agency

24 January 2022

BS 8580-2:2022 Water quality. Risk assessments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne pathogens. Code of practice

BS 8580-2 is a new British Standard recommending a Pseudomonas aeruginosa risk assessment process and supplying information and support on how to understand microbial hazards, prioritize actions and minimize risks.

British Standards Institution

26 May 2022

Good infection prevention practice: using ultrasound gel – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This document provides guidance on the safe use of ultrasound gel to reduce risk of transmission of infection arising from these products.

UK Health Security Agency

4 July 2021

National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021

The National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 encompass all cleaning tasks throughout the NHS regardless of which department is responsible for it.

NHS England

2 October 2023

Application of ultraviolet (UVC) devices for air cleaning in occupied healthcare spaces: guidance and standards

 

This document has been written as an interim specification to set the basic standard required for UVC devices to be utilised in healthcare and patient related settings. This edition is primarily aimed at portable and semi fixed (wall-mounted) devices.

NHS England

2 October 2023Application of HEPA filter devices for air cleaning in healthcare spaces: guidance and standards

 

This guidance has been written as an interim specification to set the basic standard required for HEPA filter devices to be utilised in healthcare and patient-related settings. This edition is primarily aimed at portable and semi fixed (wall-mounted) devicesNHS England
27 October 2022Good IPC practice for the cleaning and handling of incubators and other equipment in neonatal units – GOV.UK This document sets out to highlight and reinforce general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with local guidance and manufacturer’s instructions when decontaminating and handling incubators in neonatal units during and after patient use.UK Health Security Agency

12. IPC during care of the deceased

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

July 2018

Managing infection risks when handling the deceased – HSG283 – HSE

Guidance for the mortuary, post-mortem room and funeral premises, and during exhumation.

 

Health and Safety Executive

13. Safe management of linen

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

02.04.2020

NHS England » Uniforms and workwear: guidance for NHS employers

This publication supports the specific requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice relating to uniform and workwear policies, and the need to ensure that they support effective hand hygiene. Advise on the washing of uniforms is included.

NHS England

14. Occupational safety including the prevention of sharps injuries

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

11.12.2014

Bloodborne viruses: Eye of the needle – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

‘Eye of the needle’ is a report on healthcare workers’ occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

UK Health Security Agency

 

The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 (legislation.gov.uk)

 

 

Blood-borne viruses (BBV) – Blood borne viruses (BBV) (hse.gov.uk)

This website gives employees and employers detailed guidance on;

§  how to comply with the law

§  how to assess and ways to reduce the risks of workplace exposure to blood-borne viruses

§  how to manage incidences of exposure

 

Health and Safety Executive

30.03.2016

General dentistry: exposure prone procedure categorisation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Exposure prone procedures (EPPs) and non EPPs carried out in general dentistry, categorised by levels of risk of bleed-back, compiled by UKAP.

Public Health England

11.09.2013

Immunisation against infectious disease – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Green Book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the UK.

UK Health Security Agency

November 2022

Clearance and management of healthcare workers living with bloodborne viruses (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Integrated guidance on health clearance of healthcare workers and the management of healthcare workers living with bloodborne viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV).

UK Health Security Agency

15. High consequence infectious diseases

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

05.07.2022

High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England.

UK Health Security Agency

November 2015

Management of Hazard Group 4 viral haemorrhagic fevers and similar human infectious diseases of high consequence (publishing.service.gov.uk)

This document provides guidance on the risk assessment and management of patients in the United Kingdom in whom infection with a viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) should be considered or is confirmed. This guidance aims to eliminate or minimise the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and others coming into contact with an infected patient or their samples.

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)

15.11.2015

VHF_Algo.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Risk assessment algorithm for managing suspected (low and high possibility) and confirmed cases of VHD.

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)

16. Management of outbreaks

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

12.08.2014

Communicable disease outbreak management: operational guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Roles and responsibilities of key agencies and the agreed procedures during local and national outbreak investigations.

Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

06.06.2008

Pandemic Flu – Workplace Guidance

This guidance is intended to inform planning for a pandemic form of influenza that causes severe symptoms in a large proportion of those infected.

Health and Safety Executive

Early warning alert and response in emergencies: an operational guide

This operational guidance aims to guide decision-making on when and how to implement and strengthen Early Warning Alert and Response (EWAR) in preparation for and response to emergencies.

World Health Organization

17. Healthcare associated infection surveillance and reporting

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

04.01.2021

Mandatory healthcare associated infection surveillance: data quality statement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Data quality statements for the mandatory surveillance of healthcare associated infection (HCAI).

UK Health Security Agency

01.08.2017

Gram-negative bacteria: prevention, surveillance and epidemiology – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, management and surveillance of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

20.09.2022

Clostridioides difficile: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile).

UK Health Security Agency

04.10.2017

Escherichia coli (E. coli): guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

UK Health Security Agency

12.07.2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

UK Health Security Agency

12.07.2018

Klebsiella species: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Klebsiella species

UK Health Security Agency

22.01.2020

Staphylococcus aureus: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The characteristics, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus.

UK Health Security Agency

24.08.2021

Surgical site infection (SSI): guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

UK Health Security Agency helps hospitals record incidents of surgical site infection (SSI), to help improve surgical practice and prevent further infections.

UK Health Security Agency

01.08.2016

Healthcare associated infections (HAI): point prevalence survey, England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A point prevalence survey on levels of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and levels of antimicrobial use in hospitals in England in 2016.

Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

18. Risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls

Date

Title

Summary description

Author/owner

20.09.2022

Practical steps towards completing a local risk assessment, primary care, community care and outpatient settings

Tool to support organisations, practices and employers in primary care, community care, and outpatient settings to undertake a local risk assessment in the context of managing seasonal respiratory viral infections focussing on influenza, SARS- CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on the measures as prioritised in the hierarchy of controls.

NHS England

20.09.2022

Practical steps towards completing a local risk assessment, acute inpatient areas

Tool to support organisations, practices and employers to undertake a local risk assessment in the context of managing seasonal respiratory viral infections focussing on influenza, SARS- CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on the measures as prioritised in the hierarchy of controls.

NHS England

09.2022

Dental framework – Supporting guidance for primary and community care dental settings

This dental framework has been designed to support practices in identifying hazards and risks with guidance on measures that should be maintained as we move to new, improved, and safer ways of working. In balancing risks appropriately, the framework provides a consistent handrail applicable to the generic dental practice environment.

NHS England

2013

Control of substances hazardous to health (Sixth edition) – L5 (hse.gov.uk)

 

The sixth edition of this Approved Code of Practice and guidance provides practical advice to help duty holders comply with the requirements of the COSHH Regulations.

Health and Safety Executive

September 2022

Infection prevention and control board assurance framework

(URL was not found, link updated)

The Board Assurance Framework (BAF) provides assurance to trust boards, that organisational compliance has been systematically reviewed by assessing the measures taken in line with the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Code of Practice (COP).

NHS England

19. IPC in the ambulance service

2023:

Infection Prevention and Control Archives – aace.org.uk: IPC resources for ambulance services. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

April 2022:

IPC Guidance changes to SRIs in Health and Care settings – NASIPCG – aace.org.uk: IPC Guidance changes to SRIs in Health and Care settings – NASIPCG, April 2022. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

April 2022:

Infection Prevention and Control and Working Safely guidance for Ambulance Trusts: FAQs – NASIPCG – aace.org.uk:Infection Prevention and Control and Working Safely guidance for Ambulance Trusts: FAQs – NASIPCG, April 2022. Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

20. IPC in prisons, education, childcare and social care settings

5 May 2022:

Health protection in education and childcare settings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): A practical guide for staff on managing cases of infectious diseases in education and childcare settings. UK Health Security Agency.

12 June 2019:

Preventing and managing bacterial wound infections in prison – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Guidance on managing and preventing the spread of group A streptococcal (GAS) infection and other skin and soft tissue infections in prisons and secure settings. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

31 May 2022:

Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): This resource contains general infection prevention and control (IPC) principles to be used in combination with advice and guidance on managing specific infections. It is for those responsible for setting and maintaining standards of IPC within adult social care in England. Department for Health and Social Care

18 February 2013:

Care homes: infection prevention and control – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): Information resource for care home workers about preventing and controlling infection in care homes. Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

March 2019:

React to infection: Managing influenza and norovirus: React to Infection is divided into two sets of resources which explain how to identify, prevent and manage Influenza and Norovirus in care homes. Health Protection Scotland on behalf of NHS Improvement. Designed and produced by Crocodile house.

23 June 2022:

Infection prevention and control in care homes: This site contains questions and prompts used by CQC inspectors to look at how well staff and people living in care homes are protected by infection prevention and control (IPC). Care Quality Commission

Disclaimer: No responsibility will be taken for any omissions to or the content of the compendium. Any questions regarding any of the guidance documents should be directed to the appropriate organisation.

Publication reference: PR00206