Infection Prevention and Control
This subtopic focuses on equipping special procedures practitioners with the knowledge to identify and differentiate between infectious hazards (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and non-infectious hazards (including chemical, physical, and ergonomic risks) commonly encountered in practices like tattooing, piercing, and acupuncture. It further explores the practical application of control measures to mitigate these risks, underpinned by key legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, ensuring both practitioner and client safety.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The RSPH Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control for Special Procedures Practitioners focuses on the essential principles and practices required to prevent and control infections in settings where special procedures, such as tattooing, piercing, acupuncture, and electrolysis, are performed. This qualification is designed for practitioners who carry out these procedures, ensuring they understand the legal and ethical responsibilities, the chain of infection, and the standard precautions needed to protect both themselves and their clients. The course covers key topics including microbiology, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection, waste management, and the management of sharps injuries.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is critical in special procedures because these activities often involve breaking the skin or mucous membranes, creating a direct route for pathogens to enter the body. Poor IPC practices can lead to serious infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus. This award ensures practitioners are competent in risk assessment, safe working practices, and responding to incidents like needlestick injuries. It fits within the broader Health & Social Care framework by promoting public health and safety, reducing the burden of healthcare-associated infections, and maintaining professional standards.
Students will learn to apply the principles of IPC in real-world settings, from setting up a clean treatment area to correctly disposing of clinical waste. The qualification is vocationally relevant, meaning it directly prepares practitioners for the responsibilities they will face in their daily work. By mastering these concepts, students not only protect their clients but also safeguard their own health and comply with legal requirements such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Chain of infection: Understanding the six links (infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host) and how to break the chain at each point.
- →Standard precautions: Applying measures such as hand hygiene, use of PPE, safe handling of sharps, and environmental cleaning to all clients regardless of their infection status.
- →Hand hygiene: The correct technique for hand washing (using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub) and the moments when hand hygiene is essential (e.g., before and after client contact, after glove removal).
- →Sharps management: Safe use, handling, and disposal of sharps (needles, blades) to prevent needlestick injuries, including the use of sharps containers and never recapping needles.
- →Decontamination: The three levels of decontamination (cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation) and when each is appropriate based on the risk of infection (e.g., sterilisation for items that penetrate skin).
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand infectious and non-infectious hazards associated with Special ProceduresUnderstand how the risks from infectious and non-infectious hazards can be controlled and the legislative requirements associated with these
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating a clear distinction between infectious hazards (e.g., bloodborne pathogens) and non-infectious hazards (e.g., latex allergies, sharps injuries).
- Credit given for accurately explaining the chain of infection and how it applies to at least two specific special procedures.
- Evidence must show understanding of control measures including standard precautions, sharps management, environmental cleaning, and appropriate waste disposal.
- Assessors should look for correct identification of relevant legislation, such as COSHH, RIDDOR, and the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act, with brief explanations of their requirements.
- Award credit for linking specific control strategies to corresponding risks, e.g., using autoclaves for sterilization to prevent infectious transmission.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Always link control measures directly to the specific hazards you identify; generic lists will not score highly.
- 💡When discussing legislation, provide at least one concrete example of how it is applied in the context of special procedures, such as using single-use needles to comply with the Environmental Protection Act.
- 💡Use case studies or real-life scenarios in your evidence to demonstrate applied understanding, as this shows competence beyond theory.
- 💡Remember to include both the practitioner’s and client’s perspectives when addressing risk control, as infection prevention is a shared responsibility.
- 💡When answering questions about the chain of infection, always explain how a specific control measure breaks a particular link. For example, 'Hand hygiene breaks the mode of transmission link by removing pathogens from hands.' This shows deeper understanding.
- 💡For questions on standard precautions, remember to mention that they apply to ALL clients, not just those known to be infected. Examiners look for this universal application.
- 💡In questions about waste management, be specific about colour-coding: orange for infectious waste, yellow for clinical waste, and black for domestic waste. Also mention that sharps must go in a yellow sharps container.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing infectious and non-infectious hazards, such as assuming a chemical burn is infectious because it causes skin damage.
- Overlooking the role of the practitioner’s health and hygiene as a potential source of infection to clients.
- Failing to mention non-infectious hazards like ergonomic strain from poor posture during prolonged procedures.
- Citing legislation without connecting it to practical control measures, e.g., stating 'COSHH requires COSHH assessments' without detailing how to conduct one for a specific procedure.
- Ignoring the importance of client pre-screening for contraindications that could increase infection risk.
- Misconception: Wearing gloves means you don't need to wash your hands. Correction: Gloves can have microscopic defects and hands can become contaminated when removing gloves. Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on gloves and after removing them.
- Misconception: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against all pathogens. Correction: They are not effective against spore-forming bacteria (e.g., Clostridium difficile) or some viruses (e.g., norovirus). Hand washing with soap and water is required in these cases.
- Misconception: Single-use items can be reused if they look clean. Correction: Single-use items are designed for one use only and may have structural damage or contamination that is not visible. Reusing them increases infection risk and is against regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for ROYAL SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Infection Prevention and Control
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of microbiology: what bacteria, viruses, and fungi are, and how they cause infection.
- •Knowledge of health and safety legislation: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH, and RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
- •Familiarity with personal hygiene practices, especially hand washing techniques.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand infectious and non-infectious hazards associated with Special ProceduresUnderstand how the risks from infectious and non-infectious hazards can be controlled and the legislative requirements associated with these
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