Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID19)
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses with some causing less-severe disease, such as the common cold, and others causing more severe disease such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses.
Although evidence is still emerging, we do not know the routes of transmission of COVID-19; however, other coronaviruses are mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets and direct or indirect contact with infected secretions. In addition to respiratory secretions, other coronaviruses have been detected in blood, faeces and urine. Under certain circumstances, airborne transmission of other coronaviruses is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to aerosols of respiratory secretions and sometimes faecal material.
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Educational resources for health workers
Educational resources for health workers
Learning resources:
World Health Organisation (WHO): Introduction to emerging respiratory viruses, including novel coronavirus – This course provides a general introduction to COVID-19 and emerging respiratory viruses.
World Health Organisation (WHO): Health and safety briefing for respiratory diseases – ePROTECT – This course provides a general introduction to Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) and basic hygiene measures to protect against infection.
World Health Organisation (WHO): Critical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection course – The WHO Critical Care Training Short Course for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) includes content on clinical management of patients with a severe acute respiratory infection.
FutureLearn: COVID-19: Tackling the Novel Coronavirus – What is COVID-19 and how might the outbreak affect you? Find out more about coronavirus and explore its worldwide implications.
Films:
Public Health England (PHE): Donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – This video shows how to safely don (put on) the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specific to COVID-19. This guidance outlines infection control for healthcare providers assessing possible cases of COVID-19.
Public Health England (PHE): Removal and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – This video shows how to safely doff (or remove) the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specific to COVID-19. This guidance outlines infection control for healthcare providers assessing possible cases of COVID-19. It should be used in conjunction with local policies and with the PHE visual guides.
NHS: How to wash your hands – Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses.
Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): Handwashing – Watch videos on handwashing to find out more about how vital good hand hygiene is.
Guidance documents:
Department of Health & Social Care: Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response – Read the latest information about the coronavirus situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance – All current coronavirus guidance produced by HM Government for health professionals and non-clinical settings.
Public Health England (PHE): COVID-19: infection prevention and control – This revised guidance outlines infection prevention and control advice for inpatient management for healthcare providers caring for possible and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in secondary care. It should be used in conjunction with local policies.
NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I): Coronavirus guidance for clinicians – These pages have links to the up-to-date guidance healthcare professionals need to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Other useful resources:
World Health Organisation (WHO): Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – This course provides information on what facilities should be doing to be prepared to respond to a case of an emerging respiratory virus such as the novel coronavirus, how to identify a case once it occurs, and how to properly implement IPC measures to ensure there is no further transmission to HCW or to other patients and others in the healthcare facility.
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Practical resources to share with patients and carers
Practical resources to share with patients and carers
NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and common questions
NHS: How to wash your hands – Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses.
Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): Handwashing – Watch videos on handwashing to find out more about how vital good hand hygiene is.
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19): What is social distancing?
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19) – 5 things you can do to protect yourself and your community
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19): What is self-isolation and why is it important? – watch the films on home isolation and self-isolation.
Public Health England (PHE): Coronavirus (COVID-19) Expert interview: What is contact tracing?
Public Health England (PHE): Campaign resource centre – Download or order resources, such as leaflets, posters, guides and resource packs for all campaigns.
World Health Organisation (WHO): Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public.
Department of Health & Social Care: Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response – Read the latest information about the coronavirus situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
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 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/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.
This programme consists of an e-learning session, entitled ‘Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: An Introduction’ aimed at all health and care staff, and a myriad of resources to support awareness and the education of clinical staff on antimicrobial resistance in different care settings.
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.
e-Learning
Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: An Introduction
This free e-learning session, ‘Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: An Introduction’, supports health and care staff to understand the threats posed by antimicrobial resistance and the ways they can help to tackle it.
The aims of these resources are to help health and care staff:
- 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 e-learning 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 e-learning session addresses the impact of antimicrobial resistance and the hugely important role community pharmacy staff can play in it.
This e-learning 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
It is appropriate and relevant for the whole community pharmacy team.
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.
Antimicrobial Stewardship for Pharmacy Staff – Case Studies
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society supported key pharmacists within NHS Trusts/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.
Films
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.
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.
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
UTI learning resources
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Practical resources for health and care workers to share with patients and carers
Practical resources for health and care workers to share with patients and carers
- ‘Urinary tract infections (UTIs)’ A leaflet for older adults and carers [Word; PDF and User Guide]
- Preventing Urinary Tract Infections Poster
- To Dip or Not to Dip? Leaflet
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-the-review-on-antimicrobial-resistance
[2] http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/clinical-specialties/infectious-diseases/what-the-new-uti-guidance-means-for-gps/20036770.article - TARGET leaflet ‘Treating your infection – URINARY TRACT INFECTION’ for those under 65 years [Word; PDF and Fully Referenced].
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Educational resources for health and care workers
Educational resources for health and care workers
For care workers
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)’ A leaflet for older adults and carers [Word; PDF and User Guide] and leaflet for those under 65 years ‘Treating your infection – URINARY TRACT INFECTION’ [Word; PDF and Fully Referenced].
- To Dip or Not to Dip? Training handbook; e-learning; animation; poster and leaflet.
- Oxford AHSN: Good hydration and urine infections (Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6).
- Infection Control In Care Homes films.
- e-Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) Continence and Catheter Care; Promoting Best Practice in Catheter Care and Management of Incontinence and Urinary Catheters.
For health workers
- Managing UTI eModule explains the importance and appropriateness of diagnostics and offers advice on how to assess and treat patients with a range of urinary symptoms.
- Webinar on UTIs highlights simple key actions to help improve your antibiotic prescribing whilst improving the patient experience and their self-care, therefore freeing up your time.
- Antibiotic presentation core slides lasts 60 minutes and includes a clinical scenario on UTIs, slide notes and references.
- PHE quick reference tools for diagnosis of UTIs including knowing when to use the microbiology laboratory and how to understand results.
- To Dip or Not to Dip? Presentation for GPs.
- NHSI Preventing Healthcare Associated Gram-Negative Bacterial Bloodstream Infections toolkit
- NICE: Urinary tract infection products
- HEE: Antimicrobial resistance – A training resources guide
Further materials
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TARGET
TARGET
TARGET (Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education, Tools) helps influence prescribers’ and patients’ personal attitudes, social norms and perceived barriers to optimal antibiotic prescribing. It includes a range of resources that can each be used to support prescribers’ and patients’ responsible antibiotic use, helping to fulfil CPD and revalidation requirements. Free resources include:
- Leaflets to share with patients (translated into 20+ languages)
- Resources for clinical and waiting areas
- Audit toolkits, self-assessment and action planning
- Training Resources
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Keep Antibiotics Working
Keep Antibiotics Working
Public Health England (PHE) first launched ‘Keep Antibiotics Working‘ national campaign in October 2017 across England. This was to support the government’s efforts to reduce inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics by raising awareness of the issue of antimicrobial resistance and reducing demand from the public. The campaign’s key aims are:
- Alert and inform the public to the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a way that they understand, in a manner which they understand, and increase recognition of personal risk of inappropriate usage
- Reduce public expectation for antibiotics by increasing understanding amongst patients about why they might not be given antibiotics, so reducing demand
- Support healthcare professional (HCP) change by boosting support for alternatives to prescription
The messaging for the national campaign aims to move patients to a better understanding that taking antibiotics when you don’t need them means they are less likely to work for you in the future and to trust their doctors’ advice regarding the best appropriate treatment for them.
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e-Bug
e-Bug
A free health education resource, e-Bug, is also available for health and care staff to reduce antibiotic resistance by helping children and young people understand infections and antibiotic use. It’s a valuable resource, not only because it’s free to access, but it’s also available in 27 languages, being used in 221 countries worldwide.
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Antibiotic Guardian
Antibiotic Guardian
Antibiotic Guardian, a campaign led by PHE, urges members of the public and healthcare professionals to take action in helping to slow antibiotic resistance and ensure our antibiotics work now and in the future. To become an Antibiotic Guardian, people choose one pledge about how they can personally prevent infections and make better use of antibiotics and help protect these vital medicines.
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FutureLearn
FutureLearn
Clinical staff who have an active interest and prior experience in the prevention, diagnosis and management of infectious disease should consider accessing the free, interactive six-week online course on Antimicrobial Stewardship by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, University of Dundee and FutureLearn. For more information, please visit FutureLearn.
Further materials
Antibiotic Guardian, a campaign led by PHE, urges members of the public and healthcare professionals to take action in helping to slow antibiotic resistance and ensure our antibiotics work now and in the future. To become an Antibiotic Guardian, people choose one pledge about how they can personally prevent infections and make better use of antibiotics and help protect these vital medicines.
A free health education resource, e-Bug, is also available for health and social care staff to reduce antibiotic resistance by helping children and young people understand infections and antibiotic use. It’s a valuable resource not only because it’s free to access, but it’s also available in 22 languages, being used in 26 countries worldwide.
Clinical staff who have an active interest and prior experience in the prevention, diagnosis and management of infectious disease should consider taking the free interactive six-week online course on Antimicrobial Stewardship by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, University of Dundee and Future Learn. For more information, please visit Future Learn.
Further information
For more information on HEE’s work on antimicrobial resistance, please visit our website.
Health Education England Project team
Antonio De Gregorio
Programme Coordinator, National Programmes, Antimicrobial Resistance and Sepsis
Mohamed Sadak
Clinical Lead and Programme Manager, National Programmes, Antimicrobial Resistance and Sepsis
Janet Flint
Programme Lead, National Programmes, Population Health and Prevention
Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia
Postgraduate Dean, North Central and East London
Alan Ryan
Director, National Programmes, Health Education England
e-Learning team
Diane Ashiru Oredope
Lead Pharmacist, Health Care Associated Infections & AMR Division, Public Health England
Neha Baj
Content Development Lead, HEE e-Learning for Healthcare
Clair Guy
Project Manager, HEE e-Learning for Healthcare
Tracy Watkins
Instructional Designer, HEE e-Learning for Healthcare
Rashmi Chavda
Graphic Designer, HEE e-Learning for Healthcare
Alex Drinkall
Stakeholder Manager, HEE e-Learning for Healthcare
Antimicrobial Stewardship for Community Pharmacy Staff Project Team
Cliodna McNulty
Head of Primary Care and Interventions Unit, Public Health England
Rosie Allison
Project Manager, Public Health EnglandDiane Ashiru-Oredope
Lead Pharmacist, Health Care Associated Infections & AMR Division, Public Health England
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
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
Information Designer, The Letter g Teaching Fellow, Department of Typography, University of Reading
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)
Dr Martin Llewelyn
Professor Martin Llewelyn (BSc, FRCP, DTMH, PhD) Professor in Infectious Diseases RPS – Antimicrobial Stewardship pharmacy staff – Case studies
Beth Ward
BPharm MSc MFRPSII MRPharmS Head of Education Royal Pharmaceutical Society Out of hospitals management of UTIs in elderly patients
Annie Joseph
Clinical Microbiologist - Nottingham University Hospitals
How to access
In order to access any e-LfH programme, you will need an e-LfH account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
If you already have an account with e-LfH, then you can enrol on to the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections programme by logging in to the e-LfH Hub, selecting My Account > Enrolment and selecting the programme. You can then access the programme immediately in the My e-Learning section.
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 e-LfH 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 e-LfH 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
Access for 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 e-Learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Available to all
The Antimicrobial Resistance and Infections e-learning programme is available to access using the Open access session. If you access the content using this link, you will not have to log in but your activity will not be tracked and you will not be able to generate a record of completion.