Diploma in Infection Prevention & Control

Applications for the 2024 intake is now open. Closing date: 31st May 2024

Hospital associated infections are a leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality in patients and healthcare workers. They add to the health expenses of the country which is already unable to provide essential requirements. Most importantly these infections can be prevented by implementing proper infection control programs.

The main obstacle to achieving this goal is the inadequacy of healthcare personnel trained in infectious disease and infection control. This course is aimed at developing skills and knowledge on infection control among healthcare workers and thereby achieving better standards of infection control in hospitals. In view of the above, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo is offering a certificate course in infection prevention and control to provide knowledge and skills and to impart correct attitudes in preventing, controlling and monitoring healthcare-associated infections through infection prevention and control.

This will provide support to infection control professionals, healthcare organizations and healthcare providers in the development, implementation and evaluation of infection prevention and control policies, procedures and programs to improve the quality and safety of health care and patient outcomes.

At the completion of this course the participants will be able to,

  • explain the principles of infection prevention and control (IPC) and be able to apply them in their work settings
  • identify the link between suboptimal IPC practices and increased rates of hospital acquired infections affecting patient safety
  • maintain the expected standards of infection control during various procedures and in different settings
  • identify procedures and practices in work settings that increase the risk of hospital associated infections
  • implement behavior change strategies on implementing IPC and evaluate the outcome
  • recognize impending outbreaks of hospital acquired infections early and act to prevent further spread
  • manage special situations such as outbreaks with the infection control team
  • apply principles of hospital waste management as a component of IPC
  • establish, monitor and evaluate an infection prevention and control programme in a health care setting
  • practise skills related to communication, team work and inter-professional collaboration
  • explain the principles behind antibiotic stewardship programmes
  • discuss infection prevention in an immunocompromised host
  • adhere to infection control measures during construction and renovation, ensuring quality of air and water, and by regular cleaning of the environment and monitoring.
  • implement surveillance and audits in infection prevention & control
  • Duration: 12 months (1 Year)
  • Credit Hours: 150

Candidates currently employed/ training in health care settings will be eligible for the diploma in infection prevention & control. Candidates should have a good working knowledge in English reading and writing.

A duly completed application form should be submitted with documentary evidence of qualifications and experience. An objective marking scheme will be used for assessing the applications of candidates.

Blended mode : Self learning, online lectures, course material will be uploaded to the LMS at the beginning of the module, ten modules with onsite workshops/ demonstrations (Virtual workshops/ Demonstrations for overseas candidates)

There will be a Continuous Assessment and an End-of-programme Assessment.

The candidates will need to obtain an overall mark of 50% from all the assessments to pass the examination. The candidates who are successful at the examination will be awarded the Diploma in Infection Prevention & Control by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

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  • Course Fee:
    • Local Students – LKR 80,000
    • Foreign Students – USD 800

Dr.Nilanthi Senanayake – Course Coordinator

Tele: +94 70 348 1005
Email: nilanthi@micro.cmb.ac.lk
dipipc@med.cmb.ac.lk