BI1S75 - Infection Control 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Jul 2027 | Version 6

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI1S75
Module Title: Infection Control
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Rhian Jones
Module Team: Martin Powell, Theona Aristidou, Rhiannon Stundon, Rachel Perry, Katie Davies
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100346 - biology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 6
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Jul 2027

Module Aims

This module aims to provide the student veterinary nurse with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to correctly maintain the clinical environment and the clinical equipment within it to minimise the risk of infection in animals and humans.

The paramount importance of Animal Welfare and the Health & Safety of staff are firmly embedded throughout the module.

The module will enable the student to contribute safely to the everyday running of the practice and enhance their employability.

Content Summary

The content of this foundational module will be applied across all aspects of veterinary nursing for canine, feline and exotic species and includes:

Identification of pathogens and the clinical signs of commonly encountered infectious diseases in small animal veterinary practice

Recognition of the implications of infectious diseases for animal and human health caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, prions, endoparasites and ectoparasites

Ability to recognise and take appropriate action when nursing patients with zoonotic, anthroponotic, notifiable and reportable diseases

Recognition of the mechanisms of disease transmission and the management of preventing spread to include: indirect and direct contact, horizontal and vertical transmission, transmission vectors, fomites, carriers, reservoirs; barrier nursing, isolation, quarantine, incubation periods of clinically relevant infections; influencing factors, nosocomial infections, protective equipment

Discussion of the evidence base (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles, RCVS Knowledge Summaries) that contributes to maintaining an infection-free clinical environment to include infection control risk assessments, standard operating procedures for cleaning and disinfecting clinical environment (to include the farm environment); legal requirements of waste handling and disposal; Disinfection and sterilisation: removal of gross contaminants and correct disposal; distinguish between processes of disinfection, sterilisation, antisepsis and asepsis; correct use of materials to include dilution rates and protective equipment; describe processes of sterilisation: cold (gas, gamma, chemical) and heat (dry and stem); safe operation of an autoclave, packing and labelling equipment for sterilisation to include sterility indicators; Personal hygiene measures: personal hygiene and dress code, personal protective equipment, effective hand hygiene

Ability to monitor and perform infection control and clinical audits.

Discussion of current professional advice regarding hospital acquired infections.

Discussion of the role of the veterinary nurse in the clinical audit: devising standard operating procedures, providing mentorship, staff training, environmental swabbing, equipment monitoring; professional accountability and reflective practice.

Discussion of the role of the veterinary nurse in contributing to the discipline of One Health.

The pass mark is set using a modified Angoff Method. Pass marks will vary.

The RCVS Day One Competences and Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses are the minimum essential requirements that all student veterinary nurses are expected to have met in order to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. Further information can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Competences: 1, 4-5, 7-8, 12-14, 19, 24, 29-30, 37.

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses: 1.1-1.2, 2.1-2.2, 2.9-2.10, 3.1-3.2, 8.1-8.5.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 50
Seminar 5
Tutorial 10
Demonstration 5
Practical classes and workshops 20
External visits 10
Independent Study 100
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss the evidence base that contributes to maintaining an infection-free clinical environment.
LO2 Recognise the mechanisms of infectious disease transmission and the implications for infection control.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Maintaining Infection Control and the Clinical Audit 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Infection Control ) 75 MCQ Examination 60 N/A 50 No 0

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Harvey, A. & Tasker, S., 2013. BSAVA manual of feline practice: a foundation manual. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Girling, S. J., 2013. Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Gerrard, E., 2021. BSAVA pocketbook for veterinary nurses. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Dean, R., Roberts, M. & Stavisky, J., 2018. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Shelter Medicine: Principles of Health and Welfare in a Multi–animal Environment. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Colville, T. P. & Bassert, J. M., 2015. Clinical anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Burgess, R. & Moorhead, J., 2017. New Principles of Best Practice in Clinical Audit. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Bexfield, N. & Lee, K., 2014. BSAVA guide to procedures in small animal practice. 2nd ed. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Aspinall, V., 2019. Clinical procedures in veterinary nursing. 4th ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Banes, S., Lipscomb, V. & Hutchinson, T., 2012. BSAVA manual of canine and feline surgical principles. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Ackerman, N., 2016. Aspinall's complete textbook of veterinary nursing. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Hotson Moore, P. & Hughes, A., 2007. BSAVA manual of practical animal care. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Hutchinson, T. & Robinson, K., 2015. BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Jones, M. & Mullineaux, E., 2007. BSAVA Manual of Practical Veterinary Nursing. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Meredith, A. & Delaney, C. J., 2010. BSAVA manual of exotic pet and wildlife nursing: a foundation manual. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Mullineaux, E. & Keeble, E., 2016. BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Mullineaux, E., Turner, L. & Cooper, B., 2020. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 6th ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Orpet, H. & Welsh, P., 2011. Handbook of veterinary nursing. Chichester: Blackwell.

Tighe, M. M. & Brown, M., 2019. Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Varga, M., Lumbis, R. & Gott, L., 2012. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Nursing. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Wilson, J., 2019. Infection Control in Clinical Practice Updated Edition. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles will be provided as part of your expected learning in this module.