INFC 206 - Infection Control and Decontamination

Course Description:
Infection Control and Decontamination introduces the structure and foundational principles of a medical device
reprocessing department. Focus will be placed on work flow, infection control, risk management, processes and equipment
associated with decontamination.

1.5 credits

Time Guidelines:
The standard instructional time for the day-time course offering is 48 hours. Continuing Education and Distance Education
hours will vary.

Effective Year
2018/2019

Additional Requisite Information:

To register for this course, please call The Office of the Registrar at 403.284.7248 or 1. 877.284.7248.

Course Assessment:
Assignments 10%
Quizzes 30%
Final Exam Theory 40%
Final Exam Instruments 20%

Total: 100%

Distance Education Assessment

Assignments 10%
Communication 10%
Quizzes 20%
Final Exam Theory 40%
Final Exam Instruments 20%

Total: 100%

Past experience has shown that students receiving below 70% in SAIT’s medical device reprocessing technician courses will
have difficulty passing the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
certificate exam. Any student receiving below 70% in this course should seek remedial work, peer tutoring, or extra
instruction.

Other Course Information:

School of Health and Public Safety Attendance Guideline

The School of Health and Public Safety (HPS) has expectations, consequences and processes for excused absences approval
and review related to attendance. The entire Attendance Guideline may be found on the HPS pre-orientation resources
website at: sait.ca/hpsorientation. This document is located under the General Resources section found on your Program
page. Students are expected to review the entire Attendance Guideline. In particular, students are asked to take
note of the attendance expectations shown below.

Attendance Expectations

Students in the School of Health and Public Safety are expected to achieve 100% attendance for scheduled classes and to
participate in any learning activities on a regular basis. There is a positive correlation between attendance, participation and
grades. Failure to keep up with course work or repetitive and cumulative absences will result in a formal review of the
student’s progress.

A successful, well-rounded and job-ready Allied Health graduate must demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and
abilities while attending both SAIT and workplace learning experiences.

The School of Health and Public Safety (HPS) expects students to:

Attend all gradable components up to, and including, the last day of the final exam week.
Arrive early and be prepared for all gradable components.
Act as a responsible leader by modelling professional attendance behaviour and being accountable for personal actions.
This is demonstrated by communicating and documenting personal disruptions to instructors and or preceptors, if
applicable.
Communicate and document any current and/or upcoming personal disruptions as early as possible to his/her
instructor, preceptors and/or Academic Chair.
Contact instructor(s) on the first day of return to the program after an absence to make arrangements for missed time,
if allowed.
Schedule personal appointments outside of program schedules when possible.
Complete the SAIT Physician Statement form when requesting a deferred gradable course component and submit the
form to the Academic Chair.
Discuss and ensure any changes to a course or workplace schedule are approved by the SAIT instructor and/or
Academic Chair.
Schedule a meeting with the Academic Chair to discuss any extended illness or medical leaves, accessibility
requirements, or accumulated absences or chronic lateness.

SAIT Policies and Procedures:

For information on the SAIT Grading Scale, please visit policy AC 3.1.1 Grading Progression Procedure: http://www.sait.ca
/Documents/About SAIT/Administration/Policies and Procedures/AC.3.1.1 Grading and Progression Procedure.pdf

For information on SAIT Academic Policies, please visit: www.sait.ca/about-sait/administration/policies-and-procedures

/academic-student

Required Course Publication(s):

International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management. (2016). Central service technical manual
(8th ed.).Chicago, IL: Author.

The School of Health and Public Safety (2016). INFC 206 infection control and decontamination course modules. Calgary,
AB: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
The School of Health and Public Safety. (2016). MDRT instrument study cards. Calgary, AB: Southern Alberta Institute of
Technology.

Course Learning Outcome(s):

1. Outline the requirements for working in a medical device reprocessing department (MDRD).

Objectives:

1.1 Identify the five main work areas in a medical device reprocessing department (MDRD).

1.2 Describe the typical physical layout of a MDRD and the work-related duties associated with each
processing unit.

1.3 Describe the one-way flow of materials through each work area of a MDRD.

1.4 Identify the five main structural and environmental requirements of the work space in a MDRD.

1.5 Identify the soft skills and other job-related abilities critical to the success of a medical device
reprocessing technician.

2. Distinguish between the four groups of microorganisms.

Objectives:

2.1 Describe the four basic groups of microorganisms.

2.2 Identify the three basic shapes of bacteria using staining identification.

2.3 Describe the significance of spores in sterilization and disinfection.

2.4 Describe the environmental factors that encourage the growth of bacteria.

2.5 Identify the basic structure and characteristics of viruses.

3. Apply basic infection control principles for the prevention of the transmission of disease.

Objectives:

3.1 Identify the components of the chain of infection.

3.2 Identify the three categories of microbial reservoirs.

3.3 Explain the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms.

3.4 Analyze the conditions of a susceptible host and the four portals of entry for infectious organisms.

3.5 Identify factors that contribute to hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and the key method of prevention.

3.6 Discuss the concern of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthcare facilities.

3.7 Describe aseptic technique and the five principles of asepsis.

4. Apply guidelines for the avoidance of occupational hazards when working in a medical device reprocessing department
(MDRD).

Objectives:

4.1 Explain the purpose of risk management and its application to a MDRD.

4.2 Explain the development and purpose of Standard Precautions.

4.3 Demonstrate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) associated with Standard Precautions.
 4.4 Explain the procedures for effective hand washing technique.

4.5 Explain the standard procedure for reporting employee accidents and injuries.

4.6 Identify the four general categories of workplace hazards.

4.7 Describe the three components of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

4.8 Explain the importance of ergonomics and the principles of good body mechanics when working in a
MDRD.

5. Explain the principles and processes of decontamination used to make patient care equipment safe for handling.

Objectives:

5.1 Identify the structural design, suitable transportation practices and ideal workstation arrangement for the
decontamination area.

5.2 Describe the recommended cleaning practices in the decontamination area.

5.3 Describe the recommended safe-work practices specific to decontamination.

5.4 Discuss the process of disinfection and the relationship between the risk level of a device and the selection
of a disinfectant.

5.5 Compare the properties of various disinfectants in the decontamination process.

6. Compare the types of mechanical equipment used exclusively in the process of decontamination.

Objectives:

6.1 Describe the mechanics of the ultrasonic cleaner and its function in decontamination.

6.2 Identify various thermal washer-disinfectors used for mechanical cleaning of instrumentation.

6.3 Explain the importance of the cart washer in decontamination.

6.4 Describe the mechanics of washer and pasteurizer machines and sterile drying cabinets.

6.5 Describe devices typically processed in the respiratory area of decontamination and their typical cleaning
process.

7. Identify the fundamental structures of the human body and related medical terminology.

Objectives:

7.1 Identify the basic structures of the human body including cells, tissues, organs and body systems.

7.2 Describe the principles of medical word building.

7.3 Define word parts and terms pertaining to body structure and procedures.

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