NURSING 1006 - Microbiology and Infection Control

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Microbiology and Infection Control provides nursing students with the skills and knowledge to prevent the transmission of organisms in health care settings. The principles of infection control are coupled with the science of microbial transmission and reproduction. Students gain knowledge of the most important bacterial, fungal, parasitical and viral infections. The use of personal protective equipment and the ability to establish and maintain a sterile field are core skills of nurses. The role of the immune system in defence of the human body is examined and emphasis is placed on the recognition of inflammation.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 1006
    Course Microbiology and Infection Control
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Restrictions Available to B.Nurs students only
    Assessment Mid semester online quiz, preparation and maintenance of a sterile field, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr David Foley

    Course Coordinator: Dr David Foley
    Phone: +61 8 8313 1758
    Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
    Email: david.foley@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide

    Tutor: Frank Donnelly 
    Phone: +61 8 8313 3639
    Email: frank.donnelly@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide

    School Office 
    Phone: +61 8 8313 3595
    Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
    Email: pre_registration@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe a range of microorganisms and the classifications
    2 Describe the reproduction of important pathogens – bacteria, fungi, virus
    3 Understand the role of bacterial pathogenesis
    4 Identify the role of the acquired and innate immune systems
    5 Learn how infectious organisms cause disease and challenge the body’s immune defence.
    6 Equip students to recognise infection control practices that prevent the spread of infection
    7 Demonstrate skills in standard precautions including gowning and gloving and PPE for use in the clinical setting
    8 Relate infection control practices to the control and containment of the organism concerned.
    9 To understand the chain of infection and create a sterile field in different nursing environments.
    10 Provide a baseline of practice and knowledge for safe interaction with patients in isolation
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-8
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 7, 10
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 4, 6, 9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6, 7, 9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3, 7, 10
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 9-10
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 5, 9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lee, G & Bishop, P 2012 Microbiology and Infection Control for Health Professionals, 5th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest.
    Recommended Resources
    http://www.cdc.gov/

    http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/node/30290

    http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/Immunisation/hcwguidelines-pehs-sahealth-1004.pdf

    http://www.hha.org.au/
    Online Learning
    Online materials to support the course content will be provided through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face to face lectures – Face to face lectures offer synchronous learning opportunities and enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology. Much of the content for this course is supported by textbooks with web page and e-learning supports (e.g. flash cards for revision). The School of Nursing supports the audio and video capture of lecture content as an aid to revision.

    Articulate presentations –
    the School of Nursing has a licence for the Articulate e-learning authoring software program and has a number of staff that are expert in its use. The advantage to the student is the freedom to progress through content at their own pace while receiving in time support for their learning. This is particularly helpful for the nature of the content which will be available for revision across the semester. The School of Nursing has a purpose built e-learning room with dedicated PC access to training support software.

    Tutorials -
    tutorial sessions enable small group discussion and peer interaction around the content. Each tutorial session will focus on the lecture content for the week. Lecturing Staff and Lecturer A (Clinical Tutors) who provide the in hospital assessment and bedside teaching role contribute to and provide tutorial sessions both with university and in the various clinical placement settings.

    Simulated Learning Environments (SLE) –
    the simulated learning environment provides students an opportunity to practice a range of infection control skills prior to attending clinical placement. Importantly the SLE also enables clearly constructed, well considered clinical scenarios which nurture and challenge student development. The Robin Warren Skills Laboratory within the Faculty of Health Sciences provides a state of the art clinical training venue with dedicated nursing lecturers with expertise in low fidelity simulation. Students will learn to create and maintain a sterile field and will participate in a scenario of caring for a patient in isolation. Special emphasis on hand washing, gowning and gloving practices will be made.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The workload for this course requires attendance at:
    • 2 x 1 hour lecture / week
    • 3 x 2 hour tutorials / semester
    • 2 x 2 hour SLE / semester

    Non-contact hours for assessment and tutorial preparation will be 5 hours per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The tables below indicate the lecture, tutorial and SLE series outlines for Microbiology and Infection Control. Other tutorials may be provided as required.

    Lectures 11 – 1 Rennie Lecture Theatre

    Week Date (Tues) Topic Assessment/Other
    1 4 March L1. Introduction to Microbiology
    L2. Health Care Associated Infection
    2 11 March L3. Classification Of Microorganisms
    L4. Bacterial Growth & Reproduction
    3 18 March 11 am Tutorial vital signs
    L5. Bacterial Pathogenesis
    4 25 Mar L6. Role Of Viruses In Causing Illness (I)
    L7. Role Of Viruses In Causing Illness (II)
    5 1 Apr L8. Fungi & Parasites
    L9. Innate Immunity
    T1 Inflammation & Pain
    6 8 Apr L10. Acquired Immunity
    L11. Cell Mediated Immunity
    Mid-Semester Break Online Formative Test
    7 29 Apr L12. Antigens & Antibodies
    L13. Transmission Of Disease
    T2. Immune System
    8 6 May L14. OHS of Infection Control
    L15. Standard Precautions
    9 13 May L16. Sterilisation, Disinfection & Cleaning
    L17. Isolation & Infectious Disease
    SLE2. Caring for a person in isolation
    10 20 May L18. Wound Field Theory
    L19. Infectious Trends
    11 27 May SLE 1. Wound dressing practice Preparation & Maintenance of a Sterile Field
    12 3 June L20. Managing Infections
    T3. Use & Application of PPE
    13 10 June T4. Nursing Responses to inflammation
    16 June Swot Week
    21 June
    4 July
    Exam Weeks Exam

    Specific Course Requirements
    The course requires some skills laboratory work. Students will need to adhere to the dress code for attending the Robin Warren Labs
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Small group discovery experience for 1st year nursing is contained within the Level 1 course - Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing 1
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    Mid-semester online quiz Formative N/A 1-6
    Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field Summative 30% 7-8
    End of semester exam Summative 70% 1-6, 9, 10
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: Mid semester online quiz
    Mid semester online quiz: this quiz will be administered online through MyUni and will provide instant feedback to students on their knowledge of microbiology and infection control practices. The quiz will cover content up to the midpoint of the semester.

    ASSESSMENT 2: Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field
    Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field: students will be presented with a simulated wound that requires redressing. Students will prepare and maintain asepsis in respect of the wound dressing while identifying a rationale for their practice. Emphasis on the safe removal of a soiled wound dressing and replacement with a new dressing will occur. This assessment will be conducted in the skills lab and will be supervised by clinical lecturing staff. As an aspect of this assessment students will also demonstrate effective hand hygiene, safe gloving and gowning practice patient preparation. Wherever possible this assessment will be co-assessed by a 3rd year student and a Lect A (Clinical Tutor) using a marking rubric. This opportunity forms part of the assessment for 3rd year students in the Level III course Leadership and Transition to Practice.

    ASSESSMENT 3: End of semester exam
    Exam (2 hr): covering the principles of infection control and related microbiology will be held at the end of semester.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through the assignments portal of MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted. Cover sheets are required for all assignments and can be accessed from the School of Nursing website. Extension of 1 week for submission of assignments can automatically be granted when an online request is submitted. (Please see Study Guide for details) Requests must be made before the due date of the assignment. In principle, all assignments should be submitted by the due date. Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each working day after the due date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

    The policy for applying for extensions is outlined in the School Manual and the Study Guides.

    Whenever possible staff will turn around marked assignments within 4 weeks or earlier.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Students are to ensure they are familiar with the contents of the 2014 School of Nursing Student Handbook and Style Guide. A PDF of this document is available through MyUni.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.