Guidance and Best available evidence

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice for the NHS on the prevention and control of Healthcare associated infections and related guidance Department of Health (DH) 23/01/2009
• Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections in Hospitals in England National Audit Office (NAO) 12/06/2009
• The Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance action Plan 2008
• The Scottish Patient Safety Programme
• Protocol for the Scottish Surveillance Programme for Clostridium difficile Associated Disease. User Manual
• NI Antimicrobial Guidelines for Primary Care (November 2008)
• Report on Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Prescribing in Secondary Care in Wales
• The ‘1000 Lives Campaign’ (Wales)
• Healthcare Associated Infections - A Community Strategy for Wales 2007
• Minimising Healthcare Associated Infections in NHS Trusts in Wales

• Standard Infection Control Precautions (Update)
• The Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual
• Infection Control Manual Infection Control Services Ltd 21/01/2009
• The Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual Infection Control Guidelines Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI) 01/10/2008

• Interactive training material about hand hygiene Statens Serum Institut
• The global burden of hygiene-related diseases in relation to the home and community IFH 16/06/2009
• "Clean Care is Safer Care" The First Global Patient Safety Challenge Factsheet World Health Organization (WHO) 01/05/2009
• An introduction to hand hygiene National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) 01/05/2009
• National Hand Hygiene Campaigns in Europe, 2000-2009 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 30/04/2009
• The global impact of hand hygiene campaigning Euro Surveillance 30/04/2009
• eBug - topics related to reducing transmission of swine flu in the community Health Protection Agency (HPA) 29/04/2009
• Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 15/04/2009
• National Hand Hygiene Campaign Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 09/03/2009
• Germs. Wash your hands of them Information on Scotland's National Hand Hygiene Campaign Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 01/03/2009
• Hand Hygiene in the Home and Community (Briefing document) IFH 01/01/2009

• Eye of the needle: United Kingdom Surveillance of Significant Occupational Exposures to Bloodborne Viruses in Healthcare Workers.
• Examples of good and bad practice in avoiding sharps injuries.(Poster)

• Safe disposal of household refuse
• Safe Management of Healthcare Waste
• Environment and sustainability Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe management of healthcare waste

• The NHS Cleaning Manual National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) 01/08/2009
• NHS Decontamination Programme
• Healthcare Environment
• The global burden of hygiene-related diseases in relation to the home and community IFH 16/06/2009
• Clostridium difficile infection: how to deal with the problem Department of Health (DH) 15/01/2009
• Infection prevention and control: Minimum standards Royal College of Nursing (RCN) 01/01/2009
• Inspections of cleanliness and infection control: how well are acute trusts following the hygiene code? Healthcare Commission 24/11/2008
• NHS Scotland National Cleaning Specification Monitoring Framework Independent Audit Report Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 11/11/2008
• PL/CNO/2008/5: Improving cleanliness and infection control: from deep clean to keep clean - learning from the deep clean programme Department of Health (DH) 28/10/2008
• Essence of care: benchmarks for the care environment
• From deep clean to keep clean: learning from the deep clean programme Department of Health (DH) 28/10/2008
• NHS Scotland National Cleaning Services Specification

• Infection Control Training Material Department of Health (DH) 15/04/2008
• Introduction to infection control in care homes Health Protection Agency (HPA) 18/12/2008

• Search the website
• Browse on the website

• The global burden of hygiene-related diseases in relation to the home and community IFH 16/06/2009
• Swine flu: preventing spread in the home and community IFH 01/04/2009
• Hand Hygiene in the Home and Community (Briefing document) IFH 01/01/2009
• Norovirus infection in the home and the role of hygiene IFH 01/12/2008
• What is home hygiene? – terms and definitions, use and misuse IFH 01/11/2008
• Conjunctivitis: prevention by good hygiene at home. IFH 01/11/2008
• Impetigo: prevention by good hygiene at home IFH 01/11/2008
• Q&A: Biocide and antibiotic resistance IFH 01/11/2008
• Developing hygiene practice for the home – the IFH risk-based approach to home hygiene (targeted hygiene) IFH 01/10/2008
• “At risk” groups in the home – caring for family members who are at increased risk of infection IFH 01/10/2008
• Safe disposal of household refuse IFH 01/10/2008
• Look after the cleaning cloths in your home – and they will look after you IFH 01/10/2008
• Kitchen hygiene in the home IFH 01/10/2008
• Colds, flu and other respiratory infections in the home IFH 01/10/2008
• Norovirus: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home IFH 01/10/2008
• Escherichia coli O157: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home IFH 01/10/2008
• Safe water in the home: household water treatment and safe storage IFH 01/10/2008
• Hygiene in the home: good bugs, bad bugs and superbugs IFH 01/10/2008
• Home hygiene: taking care of a baby IFH 01/10/2008
• Toys and home hygiene IFH 01/08/2008
• Home hygiene, pets and other domestic animals IFH 01/08/2008
• Infectious Gastrointestinal Disease/stomach bugs in the home - it’s not all foodborne! IFH 01/08/2008
• Foodborne Disease and the home IFH 01/08/2008
• Rotavirus: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home IFH 01/08/2008
• Clothing, laundry and home hygiene IFH 01/08/2008
• Hygiene procedures in the home and their effectiveness: a review of the scientific evidence base (2008) IFH 01/06/2008

• Authorisation of antiviral medicines - Guidance on the use of FP10SS forms and Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic in England Department of Health (DH) 24/09/2009
• Pandemic influenza paediatric clinical pathways: information for health care professionals working in primary care and the community Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• Pandemic flu: planning & responding to primary care capacity challenges Department of Health (DH) 20/08/2009
• Launch of National Pandemic Flu service Department of Health (DH) 23/07/2009
• Pandemic flu guidance for funeral directors What you need to know and how to protect yourself and others Department of Health (DH) 30/01/2008
• Pandemic flu guidance for cleaning staff and refuse collectors in non-health care settings What you need to know and how to protect yourself and others Department of Health (DH) 30/01/2008
• Pandemic flu guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service What you need to know and how to protect yourself and others Department of Health (DH) 30/01/2008
• Pandemic flu guidance for the Police Service What you need to know and how to protect yourself and others Department of Health (DH) 30/01/2008
• Pandemic flu guidance for the hospitality industry What you need to know and how to protect yourself and others Department of Health (DH) 30/01/2008
• Pandemic influenza: guidance for primary care trusts and primary care professionals on the provision of healthcare in a community setting in England Department of Health (DH) 18/12/2008
• Pandemic influenza: guidance on meeting the needs of those who are or may become vulnerable during the pandemic Department of Health (DH) 05/08/2009
• Primary and Social Care Premises: Planning and Design Guidance
• Decontamination: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices Department of Health (DH) 09/04/2009
• New Frequently Asked Question on Small Steam Sterilizers (Benchtop Sterilizers) Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 30/12/2008
• The ‘1000 Lives Campaign’ (Wales) Welsh Assembly Government 02/06/2008
• Pandemic influenza paediatric clinical pathways: information for health care professionals working in primary care and the community Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• Pandemic flu: planning & responding to primary care capacity challenges Department of Health (DH) 20/08/2009
• Consultation on the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for health and social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance; and Prevention and control of infection in care homes (a supporting guidance document for providers of adult social care) Department of Health (DH) 13/08/2009

• WHO PANDEMIC ALERT PHASE 6: Actions and post exposure prophylaxis for close contacts of probable1 or confirmed2 human case(s) of swine influenza A/H1N1 Health Protection Agency (HPA) 12/06/2009
• Pandemic influenza: recommendations on the use of antiviral medicines for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children under the age of one year Department of Health (DH) 08/06/2009
• What Do I Need To Know About Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases? Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 08/04/2009
• Tuberculosis: Clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control in Scotland
• What Do I Need To Know About Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases? Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 08/04/2009
• Tuberculosis: Clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control in Scotland Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 24/03/2009
• Annual Evidence Update: Stopping TB (2009) Health Protection Agency (HPA) 23/03/2009
• Tuberculosis: Clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control in Scotland Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 24/03/2009
• Increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2008-9 Eurosurveillance Monthly Release 05/02/2009
• Face Mask Use and Control of Respiratory Virus Transmission in Households Emerging Infectious Diseases 01/02/2009
• National Chlamydia Screening Programme website NHS Direct Online 01/01/2009
• Tuberculosis: Clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control in Scotland Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 24/03/2009
• Increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2008-9 Eurosurveillance Monthly Release 05/02/2009

• Working together to prevent and control infections: A study of the arrangements for infection prevention and control between hospitals and care homes Care Quality Commission 21/09/2009
• Managing influenza-like illness (ILI) in nursing and residential homes during the current influenza pandemic (WHO Phase 6)(PP presentation) Health Protection Agency (HPA) 17/09/2009
• Consultation on the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for health and social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance; and Prevention and control of infection in care homes (a supporting guidance document for providers of adult social care) Department of Health (DH) 13/08/2009
• The NHS Cleaning Manual National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) 01/08/2009
• Care Quality Commission enforcement policy Care Quality Commission 01/03/2009
• cleanyourhands community resource S1/01 - Overview of the campaign plus other community resources National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) 01/11/2008
• Clostridium difficile infection Information for clients and visitors of care homes Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 01/09/2008
• Washing clothes at home Information for people in hospitals or care homes and their relatives Health Protection Scotland (HPS) 01/09/2008
• Infection Control Guidelines for Care Homes: The prevention and control of healthcare associated infection in care homes National Public Health Service for Wales 01/07/2007
• Essential steps to safe, clean care: reducing healthcare-associated infections Department of Health (DH) 01/06/2007
• Essence of care: a consultation on the reviewed original benchmarks Department of Health (DH) 20/07/2009
• Introduction to infection control in care homes Health Protection Agency (HPA) 18/12/2008

• Preparing for swine flu: Guidance for schools, early years and other educational settings Health Protection Agency (HPA) 11/09/2009
• Oseltamivir adherence and side effects among children in three London schools affected by influenza A(H1N1)v, May 2009 – an internet-based cross-sectional survey Euro Surveillance 30/07/2009
• Managing schools during the current pandemic (H1N1) 2009 – Reactive and proactive school closures in Europe European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 20/07/2009
• Managing a flu-like illness in a boarding school during the current swine flu outbreak (WHO Phase 5; UK Containment Phase) Health Protection Agency (HPA) 21/05/2009
• eBug - topics related to reducing transmission of swine flu in the community Health Protection Agency (HPA) 29/04/2009
• Planning for a human influenza pandemic: Guidance to schools and children’s services The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) previously (DfES) 01/11/2008
• Dirty Bertie storybook leaflet and nursery rhyme Department of Health (DH) 02/06/2008
• Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Child Care Settings Health Protection Agency (HPA) 01/12/2006
• Mind the Germs Welsh Assembly Government 01/07/2006
• Guidelines for the Control of Infection and Communicable Disease in nurseries and Other Institutional Early Years Settings in South West London Sector 2003 Health Protection Agency (HPA) 01/12/2005

• Local self-assessment audit for assessing implementation of HTM 01-05: decontamination in primary care dental practices and related infection prevention and control issues Department of Health (DH) 24/08/2009
• Decontamination: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices Department of Health (DH) 09/04/2009
• Pandemic influenza: Guidance for Dental Practices Department of Health (DH) 04/09/2008
• Pandemic influenza: Guidance on the delivery of and contract arrangements for primary care dentistry Department of Health (DH) 03/09/2008
• Delivering better oral health: An evidence-based toolkit for prevention Department of Health (DH) 26/08/2008

• Pandemic influenza toolkit for NHS ambulance services in England Department of Health (DH) 01/09/2009
• Ambulance Service Network, The Ambulance Service Network (ASN) 04/08/2009
• Ambulance guidelines: Reducing infection through effective practice in the pre-hospital environment Department of Health (DH) 18/06/2008
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy. Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust Welsh Assembly Government 06/05/2008

• Seasonal flu communications campaign information 2009 Department of Health (DH) 17/09/2009
• Critical care strategy: managing the H1N1 flu pandemic (September 2009) Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• Managing critical care needs related to swine flu Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• A(H1N1) swine influenza: whole-systems strategy for managing critical care needs relating to swine flu Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• Exercise Prometheus Department of Health (DH) 10/09/2009
• Pandemic influenza and the Mental Health Act 1983: consultation on proposed changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 and its associated secondary legislation Department of Health (DH) 07/09/2009
• Pandemic influenza: paediatric clinical pathways; information for health care professionals working in hospitals Department of Health (DH) 07/09/2009
• Swine flu: UK planning assumptions Department of Health (DH) 03/09/2009
• Risk to pregnant women arising from Influenza A infections Background information for discussion with pregnant women Health Protection Agency (HPA) 24/08/2009
• Advice concerning organ donation and H1N1 Department of Health (DH) 20/08/2009
• Swine Flu Vaccination programme Department of Health (DH) 13/08/2009
• Psychosocial care for NHS staff during an influenza pandemic Department of Health (DH) 22/07/2009
• Flu Assessment and Authorisation of Antiviral Treatment Royal College of General Practitioners 16/07/2009
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 guidance documents World Health Organization (WHO) 10/07/2009
• Swine Influenza - Case investigation and management, including treatment Health Protection Agency (HPA) 26/06/2009
• The Flu Pandemic Game: a business continuity training resource Department of Health (DH) 23/06/2009
• WHO PANDEMIC PHASE 6: Algorithm for the management of patients with a flu-like illness Health Protection Agency (HPA) 23/06/2009
• Evolution of the pandemic of A(H1N1)v influenza (downloadable ECDC PowerPoint slides) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 18/06/2009
• Guide to public health measures to reduce the impact of influenza pandemics in Europe – ‘The ECDC Menu’ European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 17/06/2009
• Swine flu clinical package Department of Health (DH) 16/06/2009
• Planning for pandemic influenza in social care Department of Health (DH) 11/06/2009
• Guidance on the management of contacts of a probable or confirmed case on swine influenza on an aircraft Health Protection Agency (HPA) 02/06/2009
• Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Swine Flu A/H1N1 Department of Health (DH) 29/05/2009
• Preparedness for the prevention and control of influenza outbreaks on passenger ships in the EU: the SHIPSAN TRAINET project communication Euro Surveillance 28/05/2009
• Pandemic influenza: supplementary information for third sector organisations Department of Health (DH) 12/05/2009

• Influenza A(H1N1) virus: how to protect yourself European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 03/05/2009
• Personal protective measures for reducing the risk of acquiring or transmitting human influenza European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 03/05/2009
• Pandemic flu: managing demand and capacity in health care organisations (surge) Department of Health (DH) 01/05/2009
• New website section on swine flu Department of Health (DH) 01/05/2009
• Human Swine Influenza: information for health professionals Health Protection Agency (HPA) 01/05/2009
• eBug - topics related to reducing transmission of swine flu in the community Health Protection Agency (HPA) 29/04/2009
• Human Swine Influenza: advice for the public Health Protection Agency (HPA) 29/04/2009
• Flu - NHS Immunisation website NHS Immunisation Website 27/04/2009
• Pandemic flu guidance for businesses: risk assessment in the occupational setting Department of Health (DH) 27/03/2009
• Face Mask Use and Control of Respiratory Virus Transmission in Households Emerging Infectious Diseases 01/02/2009
• Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services Department of Health (DH) 10/12/2008
• Catch it, Bin it, Kill it - Respiratory and hand hygiene campaign Department of Health (DH) 24/11/2008
• Pandemic flu: UK international preparedness strategy Department of Health (DH) 23/10/2008
• Pandemic flu: human resources guidance for the NHS Department of Health (DH) 06/08/2008

The RCN has numerous publications to support professional development of nurses and healthcare assistants. Below are some examples available - please go to the RCN publications page for further information.

• Healthcare assistant toolkit
• Helping students get the best from their practice placements
• RCN e-library
• RCN Forum communities
• Breaking down barriers, driving up standards, the role of the ward sister and charge nurse

• The Journal of Hospital infection (HIS)
• Nursing Standard
• Nursing Times
• American Journal of Infection Control