Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections - elearning for healthcare
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This programme is in partnership with...
  • Public Health England - Partnership Logo
  • https://www.england.nhs.uk/
  • NHS Improvement National

About the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme

The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Infections programme has been designed to support health and care staff – both clinical and non-clinical – in a variety of settings to understand the threats posed by antimicrobial resistance, and the ways they can help to tackle this major health issue. This programme has been developed by Health Education England (HEE) in collaboration with Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and NHS Improvement, Care Quality Commission and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Antibiotic (antimicrobial) resistance poses a major threat to everyday life and modern day medicine where lives could be lost as a result of antibiotics not working as they should. All health and care staff, as well as the public, have a very important role in preserving the power of antibiotics and in controlling and preventing the spread of infections. Amongst the approaches to reduce this threat includes adequate infection prevention and control practices, good antimicrobial stewardship and the use of diagnostics.

Visit HEE  website for more information on our  AMR work.

AMR toolkit

HEE has produced an AMR toolkit , making available credible and helpful resources relating to antimicrobial resistance, as well as learning about the management of infective states, infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship.

ACP Toolkit

eLearning

Antimicrobial Prescribing for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

The Antimicrobial Prescribing for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) elearning provides a quick overview on the key points to consider when prescribing antibiotics for UTIs, as outlined in the NICE guidance on managing common infections.

The session covers why the management of UTIs matter, what you need to know as a clinician, what you can do in your clinical practice and where can you find more information.

This bite-sized session is accompanied by an assessment and learners have the flexibility of assessing their knowledge before and/or after engaging with the session.

The AMR toolkit can support you in addressing any further learning needs you identify through completing this elearning.

Introduction to Antimicrobial Resistance

The Introduction to Antimicrobial Resistance session supports health and care staff, including non-clinical staff working for independent contractors within the NHS, as well as volunteers across health and care settings and service provision:

  • discuss why there is such a concern about misuse of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance.
  • list the key risks for development of antimicrobial resistance.
  • identify their role in tackling antimicrobial resistance.

It provides an overview for clinical and non-clinical staff. It will also be of benefit to all health and care staff, including those non-clinical staff working for independent contractors within the NHS, as well as volunteers across health and care settings and service provision.

Antibiotic Review kit – (ARK)

ARK is an antimicrobial stewardship initiative that aims to safely reduce antibiotic use in hospitals by helping staff stop unnecessary antibiotic treatments. This protects patients from drug side-effects like Clostridium difficile and antibiotic resistant infections.

This elearning was developed in partnership with British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) and covers the rationale for the Antibiotic Review Kit, presents the ARK Decision Aid and also includes some brief scenarios, with reflection questions to consolidate learning.

Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy staff

How Community Pharmacies Can Keep Antibiotics Working

This free elearning session addresses the impact of antimicrobial resistance and the hugely important role community pharmacy staff can play in it.

This elearning will help community pharmacy staff:

  • understand the connection between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance
  • identify their role in optimising antibiotic use in the general population who visit their pharmacy
  • use the Antibiotic Checklist to personalise patient advice when dispensing antibiotics
  • improve their self-care/safety-netting advice using the Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education, Tools (TARGET) Treating Your Infection leaflets
  • be aware of the global impact of antibiotic resistance

This has been developed by Public Health England in partnership with British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC), Royal Pharmaceutical Society, University of Leeds, University of Nottingham. Graphic design provided by The Letter G.

 

Case studies

Antimicrobial Stewardship for Pharmacy Staff – case study

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society supported key pharmacists within NHS Trusts and Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) to develop the skills and behaviours to become effective antimicrobial clinicians, leaders and mentors via a pilot training programme in London and the south east of England.

You can view the individual case studies from the training here.

Action on AMR – case study

Action on AMR  focussed on equipping teams with QI skills to deliver their improvement work and share successful initiatives, rather than demonstrating a significant reduction in Gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSI) rates in the region. It is hoped that infection rates will be reduced in future as the teams progress their improvement work using the skills and knowledge gained.

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) change – case study

The University of Manchester – AMS change project developed a cohort of “AMS CHANGErs”: experts in behaviour change related to AMS, with the capability, opportunity and motivation to drive change in health professional practices related to AMS.

The following report  – AMS Change: Practical training to apply behavioural science to antimicrobial stewardship , outlines the development and training that has been created. It can support the development of AMS Change projects in local areas.

 

Films

  • AMR Public Awareness

    AMR Public Awareness

    This short animation is aimed at the public and has been produced in partnership with PHE, intended to be used by health and social care staff in a variety of settings with the aim of helping prescribers respond appropriately to patients requesting antibiotics without medical need. The creation of the animation was influenced by the work of the Wellcome Trust in understanding how the public responds to information about antimicrobial resistance.

  • AMR GP and Primary Care Awareness

    AMR GP and Primary Care Awareness

    Also developed is an introductory film entitled a guide for GPs on antimicrobial resistance aimed at GPs and primary care staff to provide an introduction into the risks associated with the over-use of antibiotics, and to encourage appropriate dispersion of the animation above. It supports a range of educational materials for GPs and other primary care prescribers called the TARGET toolkit.

  • Urinary Tract Infection Management in the Elderly

    Urinary Tract Infection Management in the Elderly

    Surveillance shows that previous urinary tract (bladder) infections, urinary catheterisation, hospitalisation, being prescribed antibiotics in the previous month and old age are key risk factors for these infections in the out of hospital setting. This short film aims to support health and care workers looking after older adults with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) and introduces resources that can be used to diagnose, manage and prevent UTIs in the out of hospital setting. In particular Public Health England’s (PHE) diagnostic flowchart and a patient leaflet to facilitate the management of suspected UTIs in the older frail population.
    ‘To Dip Or Not To Dip’ has a network of health and social care professionals who are improving the management of UTI in older people in care settings throughout the UK. To join this community email elizabeth.beech@nhs.net

  • Blood Culture Pathway Awareness

    We collaborated with NHS England and NHS Improvement to produce 2 animated videos to improve antimicrobial stewardship by raising awareness and promoting an optimal blood culture pathway as set out by Public Health England. 

    The first animation is a general overview, designed to raise awareness of the issues and will explain the background of AMR, the importance of an optimal blood culture pathway in AMS, and some of the factors to consider in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases.

    The second animation is a step-by-step guide of good practice in taking a blood culture sample in the pre-analytical phase.

    Improving the blood culture pathway

    Blood culture pathway: Taking a blood culture

  • Primary Care Antibiotic Prescribing

    This film is aimed at health and care staff who recommend, prescribe, dispense and supply antibiotics in primary care. It highlights processes, considerations and actions that should occur to support safe and effective antibiotic prescribing and signposts to further available resources. The film is based on the TARGET Toolkit and NICE Guidance on ‘Managing common infections and antimicrobial stewardship’.

    This will help health and care staff to:

    • understand the connection between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.
    • identify their role in optimising antibiotic use and stewardship.
    • ensure compliance with national guidance when recommending, prescribing, dispensing and administering antibiotics.

    improve their self-care/safety-netting advice to patients on the appropriate use of antibiotics.

  • Secondary Care Antibiotic Prescribing

    This film is aimed at health and care staff who recommend, prescribe, dispense and supply antibiotics in secondary care. It highlights processes, considerations and actions that should occur to support safe and effective antibiotic prescribing and signposts to further available resources. The film is based on Public Health England’s Start Smart – Then Focus: Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit’ and NICE Guidance on antimicrobial stewardship.

    This will help health and care staff to:

    • understand the connection between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.
    • identify their role in optimising antibiotic use and stewardship.
    • ensure compliance with national guidance when recommending, prescribing, dispensing and administering antibiotics.
    • improve their self-care/safety-netting advice to patients on the appropriate use of antibiotics.

UTI learning resources

Further materials

  • TARGET

  • Keep Antibiotics Working

  • e-Bug

  • Antibiotic Guardian

  • FutureLearn

Further information

For more information on HEE’s work on antimicrobial resistance, please visit our website.

Health Education England Project team

  • Antonio-De-Gregorio

    Antonio De Gregorio

    Programme Coordinator – Antimicrobial Resistance and Sepsis, Health Education England, Population Health and Prevention Team
  • Mohamed Sadak

    Mohamed Sadak

    Clinical Lead and Programme Manager, Antimicrobial Resistance and Sepsis, Health Education England, Population Health and Prevention Team
  • Janet Flint

    Janet Flint

    Programme Lead, Health Education England, Population Health and Prevention Team
  • Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia

    Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia

    Postgraduate Dean, Health Education England, North Central and East London
  • Alan Ryan

    National Programmes Director, Health Education England
  • Vanessa Petroni-Caesar

    Vanessa Petroni-Caesar

    Programme Coordinator – Long Term Conditions and Prevention

elearning team

  • Diane Ashiru Oredope

    Lead Pharmacist, Health Care Associated Infections & AMR Division, Public Health England Content author - Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: An Introduction
  • Emma Nye

    Emma Nye

    Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Jon Collins

    Jon Collins

    Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Tracy Watkins

    Tracy Watkins

    Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Rashmi Chavda

    Rashmi Chavda

    Graphic Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • elfh-staff-Alex-Drinkall-learning-profile

    Alex Drinkall

    Communications and Stakeholder Lead, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Louise Garrahan

    Louise Garrahan

    Communications and Stakeholder Officer, HEE elearning for healthcare

Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy Staff Project Team

  • Cliodna McNulty

    Cliodna McNulty

    Head of Primary Care and Interventions Unit, Public Health England
  • Rosie Allison

    Rosie Allison

    Project Manager, Public Health England
  • Diane Ashiru-Oredope

    Lead Pharmacist, Health Care Associated Infections & AMR Division, Public Health England Content author - Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: An Introduction
  • Philip Howard

    Philip Howard

    Consultant Antimicrobial Pharmacist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust President of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) Visiting Professor, University of Leeds
  • Tracey Thornley

    Tracey Thornley

    Senior Manager Contract Framework and Outcomes, Boots UK Honorary Professor in Pharmacy Practice, University of Nottingham Member, Royal Pharmaceutical Society English Pharmacy Board
  • Sara Chapman

    Sara Chapman

    Information Designer, The Letter g Teaching Fellow, Department of Typography, University of Reading
  • Sue Walker

    Sue Walker

    Professor of Typography, University of Reading Principal Investigator, Information Design and Architecture in Persuasive Pharmacy Space (ISAPPS): combatting AMR

Antibiotic Review kit – (ARK)

  • Martin Llewelyn

    Dr Martin Llewelyn

    Professor Martin Llewelyn (BSc, FRCP, DTMH, PhD) Professor in Infectious Diseases, Royal Pharmaceutical Society – Content author, Antibiotic Review kit – (ARK)
  • Beth Ward

    Beth Ward

    BPharm MSc MFRPSII MRPharmS Head of Education, Royal Pharmaceutical Society Content author, Antimicrobial Stewardship for Pharmacy Staff
  • Annie Joseph

    Annie Joseph

    Clinical Microbiologist - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Content author, Out of hospitals management of UTIs in elderly patients
  • Professor Jo Hart

    Professor Jo Hart

    Content author, AMS Change: Practical training to apply behavioural science to antimicrobial stewardship
  • Dr Lucie Byrne-Davis

    Dr Lucie Byrne-Davis

    Content author, AMS Change: Practical training to apply behavioural science to antimicrobial stewardship
  • Jo Higgins

    Jo Higgins

    Content author, Action on AMR: Advancing Quality Action on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Programme

Antimicrobial prescribing for common infections elearning session

  • Dr Tessa Lewis

    Dr Tessa Lewis

    Author, Public Health England, General Practitioner, Medical adviser, Chair NICE Managing Common Infections Advisory Committee
  • Dr Donna Lecky

    Dr Donna Lecky

    Head of the Primary Care and Interventions Unit, Public Health England

How to access

Available to all

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme is freely available to access here.
Please note your progress and completion of sessions will not be recorded and you will not be able to generate a record of completion. If you require evidence of learning, please register and then log in to access this programme on the elfh Hub.

If you already have an account with elfh, then you can enrol on to the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme by logging in to the elfh Hub, selecting My Account > Enrolment and selecting the programme. You can then access the programme immediately in the My elearning section.

In order to access the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.

Register >

To view the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.

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NHS healthcare staff in England

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections  programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this elearning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.

Further details are available here.

Not an NHS organisation?

If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.

To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.

Registering large numbers of users

If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme, please contact elfh directly.

Organisations wishing to use their own LMS

For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.

Access for care home or hospice staff

To register for the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme, select the ‘Register’ button above. Select the option ‘I am a care home or hospice worker’ then enter your care home / hospice name or postcode and select it from the options available in the drop down list. Finally enter your care home / hospice registration code and select ‘Register’. You may need to see your employer to get this code.

If your employer does not have a code, then they need to contact the elfh Support Team. The Support Team can either give the employer the Registration Code or arrange a bulk upload of all staff.

Access for social care professionals

Access to elfh content is available to all social care professionals in England whose employers are registered with the Skills for Care National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC). Every employer providing NMDS-SC workforce information to Skills for Care has been given a user registration code for their staff. This code enables you to self-register for access to the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme. Please contact your employer for more details about the registration code. For information about registering your organisation with the NMDS-SC your employer should access www.nmds-sc-online.org.uk or contact the Skills for Care Support Service on 0845 8730129.
If you have a registration code select the ‘register’ button above.

More information

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