Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to health and human development, affecting our ability to treat a range of infections. Treatments for a growing number of health care-associated infections (HAI) have become less effective in many parts of the world due to increasing incidence of infections becoming resistant to antimicrobials. However, a large proportion of these infections can be prevented by implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

Please note: These materials were launched on 05/12/2022.

Self-paced
Language: English
Not disease specific

Course information

Overview

In this course, you will learn about what AMR is and how resistant infections occur, which pathogens cause the biggest problems globally and in the health care setting, the risk factors and causes of AMR and, most importantly, the role of IPC in reducing AMR. You will learn about strategies to reduce and prevent the occurrence of antibiotic resistance. These strategies include infection prevention and control (IPC), such as observing proper hand hygiene and environmental cleaning; triaging and isolating/cohorting patients with infections that are antibiotic-resistant; practicing antimicrobial stewardship; and conducting surveillance. You will also learn about how to use the World Health Organization’s (WHO) multimodal strategies to implement activities to reduce and prevent AMR.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course you will:

  • describe the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance;
  • list important antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and note key differences;
  • explain why the spread of antibiotic resistance is a major threat in all health care facilities worldwide, and why urgent action is needed;
  • explain factors contributing to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between health care facilities and communities.

Course duration: Approximately 3 hours.

Certificates: A Record of Achievement will be issued to participants who receive at least 70% on the post-test. You have an unlimited number of attempts to meet the threshold. Participants who receive a Record of Achievement can also download an Open Badge for this course. Click here to learn how.

Course contents

  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Overview:

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to health and human development, affecting our ability to treat a range of infections. Treatments for a growing number of health care-associated infections (HAI) have become less effective in many parts of the world due to increasing incidence of infections becoming resistant to antimicrobials. However, a large proportion of these infections can be prevented by implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. In this module, you will learn about what AMR is and how resistant infections occur, which pathogens cause the biggest problems globally and in the health care setting, the risk factors and causes of AMR and, most importantly, the role of IPC in reducing AMR.
  • Strategies for Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance:

    In the last module, you learned about what antibiotic resistance is, how it occurs, and the risk factors that cause it to emerge and spread in the health care setting. In this module, you will learn about strategies to reduce and prevent the occurrence of antibiotic resistance. These strategies include infection prevention and control (IPC), such as observing proper hand hygiene and environmental cleaning; triaging and isolating/cohorting patients with infections that are antibiotic-resistant; practicing antimicrobial stewardship; and conducting surveillance. You will also learn about how to use the World Health Organization’s (WHO) multimodal strategies to implement activities to reduce and prevent AMR.

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Learners enrolled: 24086

Certificate Requirements

  • Gain a Record of Achievement by earning at least 70% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments.