Standard Infection Control Precautions (National Infection Prevention and Control Manual)

GGC Paediatric Guidelines
NHS GGC

Objectives

Standard Infection Control Precautions are contained within the evidence based National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) which is mandatory for NHSScotland. One of the key purposes of the manual is to reduce variation and optimise infection, prevention and control practices throughout Scotland.

 

 

 

Audience

This Guidance is applicable to ALL staff (clinical and non-clinical) working within NHS Scotland. 

The NHSScotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual was first published on 13 January 2012, by the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO (2012)1), and updated on 17 May 2012 (CNO(2012)01-update).

It is an evidence based National Infection Prevention and Control (NIP&C) Manual for Scotland is intended to be used by all those involved in care provision.  The manual currently contains information on Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs), Chapter 1 and Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs), Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 Healthcare Infection incidents, outbreaks and data exceedance.  It is planned to further develop the content of the manual.

It is a practice guide for use in Scotland which when used can help reduce the risk of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) and ensure the safety of those being cared for, staff and visitors in the care environment. 

It aims to:

  • Make it easy for care staff to apply effective infection prevention and control precautions.
  • Reduce variation and optimise infection prevention and control practices throughout Scotland.
  • Help reduce the risk of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI).
  • Help align practice, monitoring, quality improvement and scrutiny.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01/10/2024

Next review date: 01/10/2027

Author(s): National Services Scotland, Health Protection Scotland.

References

Literature reviews were undertaken on the current scientific literature available. Details on the research methods and terms used can be found in the Development Process document. The information in these literature reviews has informed the recommendations in Chapter 1 of the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual. SBARs have been produced in response to specific areas where further literature reviews were required.