• To enhance your knowledge of the transmission of infections, including the transmission characteristics of organisms, the chain of infection and types of transmission
• To enable you to implement effective infection prevention and control measures in your practice, such as the appropriate use of personal protective equipment
• To understand how the principles of infection prevention and control can be applied during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Nurses have a crucial role in infection prevention and control. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emphasised the importance of controlling the spread of infections, while reinforcing the challenges involved in the care of patients who already have an infection. This article discusses important elements of theory and practice related to infection prevention and control. The author also explores various areas that have come to prominence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures such as risk assessment, the use of personal protective equipment, the role of surveillance, and outbreak management.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2021.e11729
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Wynn M (2021) Understanding the principles of infection prevention and control. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2021.e11729
Published online: 26 April 2021
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