Infections and infectious diseases - WHO/Europe

Infections and infectious diseases

A manual for nurses and midwives in the WHO European Region

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

ABSTRACT

There is an urgent need to re-establish basic infection control measures, which have been overlooked or played a less important role in controlling the spread of infections since the introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s. This manual has been written with the aim of developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of nurses and midwives regarding infections and infectious diseases and their prevention and control. It is intended to be used as an interactive learning package for nurses and midwives in the WHO European region, specifically in eastern Europe. There are seven modules. Each module is in two parts: theory and practice. A workbook is provided separately, with opportunities for self-assessment through learning activities. A completed workbook is also available for each module to give further guidance to readers.

Keywords

INFECTION CONTROL INFECTIOUS DISEASES PREVENTION TREATMENT NURSING CARE

? World Health Organization 2001 All rights in this document are reserved by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The document may nevertheless be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced or translated into any other language (but not for sale or for use in conjunction with commercial purposes) provided that full acknowledgement is given to the source. For the use of the WHO emblem, permission must be sought from the WHO Regional Office. Any translation should include the words: The translator of this document is responsible for the accuracy of the translation. The Regional Office would appreciate receiving three copies of any translation. Any views expressed by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors.

Foreword

Infections and infectious diseases are a great burden on many societies, including the countries in the WHO European region. To reduce that burden an integrated approach is required, combining health promotion, disease prevention and patient treatment. The prerequisite for success in this fight is the participation of all health care professionals. Nurses and midwives, as major frontline providers of care, are in a position to contribute significantly to reducing the burden.

Infections and infectious diseases: A manual for nurses and midwives in the WHO European region has been written with the aim of developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of nurses and midwives regarding infections and infectious diseases and their prevention and control. It is intended for use as an interactive learning package for nurses and midwives in the WHO European region, specifically in the more eastern part of the region. Mastery of this material will enable nurses and midwives to respond to threats to the community, to teach their patients and members of the community effective ways of preventing infections and infectious diseases, to provide high quality and effective care to people with infectious diseases and to use appropriate measures to ensure safe practice.

The manual comprises seven modules. Each module is in two parts: theory and practice, with opportunities for self-assessment through learning activities and a workbook. The manual should be used as a package to ensure that, after training, nurses and midwives have a broad and up-to-date knowledge of infections and infectious diseases. Each section of the manual can also be used independently to develop knowledge in a specific area, and the manual as a whole can be used as a reference book in health care settings.

The manual is a joint initiative between the Red Cross and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It has been based on Communicable disease. Nursing course manual. Prepared for distance education by the National Nursing Centre of China, 1992. Over the last two years, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health has adapted the Chinese manual to make it relevant to nurses and midwives in Europe. The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Red Cross wish to thank the staff at the Scottish Centre for their work, as well as the many other people who have contributed to making the manual a reality, including the WHO collaborating centres for nursing and midwifery in the European Region and Barbara Stilwell, Scientist at WHO headquarters.

Terhi Heinasmaki International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Ainna Fawcett-Henesy WHO Regional Office for Europe

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