Launch of a major new initiative in the fight against MRSA
The Training Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a revolutionary online course, ‘MRSA – you can make a difference’, which is set to make a huge contribution to the fight against Healthcare Associated Infection.
Rather than focusing purely on preventative measures and procedures, the course provides an opportunity to identify and discuss issues which prevent those measures being put into practice, and at the same time reinforces the actions that every individual can take ‘to make a difference’. The course has been designed in close collaboration with infection control professionals in the field and is accredited by the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA).
Les Hobbs, Director of Learning Solutions at The Training Foundation commented “Today’s report from the National Audit Office shows that, despite procedures and training in infection control being widely available, MRSA presents an increasing threat. Surveys of healthcare staff indicate that often simple measures are not being consistently implemented.’ He went on, ‘We therefore decided to design this course in a different and unique way. Our short, online course brings these issues into the open, makes it clear to staff that they can make a real difference as individuals and, indeed, motivates them to make behavioural adjustment where any adjustment is necessary”.
Chris Perry, Chairperson of the ICNA, commented; “The Training Foundation’s online course, MRSA – you can make a difference has been approved by our Education Committee. We believe it will be a very useful tool for Infection Control Nurses to use in their battle against MRSA and other Healthcare Associated Infections.”
The one-hour course is designed for all those who come into regular contact with patients. Being an online course means the course will be available at anytime when staff have access to a computer connected to an internal network, or to the Internet. For those without such access the course can be supplied pre-loaded onto wireless tablet PCs. All NHS staff and associated contractors nationwide will therefore be able to gain access.
The course is designed to be a learning resource to assist IC nurses train others and to help them motivate any behavioural adjustment as may be individually required. It is aimed at complementing routine infection control training rather than replacing it and may be used as a standalone awareness course or as part of a wider learning programme with follow up discussion or review sessions.
A unique aspect of the course design is that MRSA – you can make a difference may readily be customised or linked to local, specific IC policies or procedures.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Training Foundation was formed in 1998 with the objective of empowering everyone involved in training and developing others.
The Training Foundation works closely with many major organisations across both the public and the private sectors and focuses on improving the quality of training being delivered to the UK workforce.
As part of this mission The Training Foundation has developed its own online authoring software for creating rapid e-learning content, called Lobster-online.
Using Lobster-online, The Training Foundation is creating a library of relevant, customisable online courses for use across a wide range of public and private sector organisations.
The complete course MRSA – You can make a Difference is available for immediate review by accredited members of the press on request. Please contact Adrian Snook to arrange access.
About the ICNA
The Infection Control Nurses Association works together with healthcare colleagues, professional bodies, industry, government agencies and voluntary organisations in the prevention and control of infection. The main aim of the ICNA is to advance the speciality of infection prevention and control through education, professional development of our members and research. With the continued need to prevent and control existing, re-emerging and new infections the Association is at the forefront of initiatives across the United Kingdom and Eire in both hospital and community settings. Members of the Association are active locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
More information is available on-line at:
http://www.icna.co.uk