Why infection prevention and control is important
Infection control refers to the policy and procedures implemented to control and minimise the transmission of infections in healthcare settings, with the main purpose of reducing infection rates.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on good infection prevention and control practices is important.
Evidence has now shown that people infected with COVID-19 who are either pre-symptomatic, or have very mild or no respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic) can transmit the virus to others without knowing, so it is important to take steps to stop the spread of coronavirus in healthcare settings
The role of infection control is to prevent and reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infections. This can be achieved by implementing infection control programs that include:
- surveillance
- isolation
- outbreak management
- environmental hygiene
- employee health
- education
- infection prevention policies and management
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) can develop either as a direct result of healthcare interventions, such as medical or surgical treatment, or from contact with a healthcare setting (including care homes).
The term HCAI covers a wide range of infections. The most well-known include those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile).
HCAIs pose a serious risk to residents, staff and visitors. They can cause significant morbidity to those infected and result in high costs for the organisation concerned. Therefore, infection prevention and control must be considered a key priority.
The growing emergence of antimicrobial resistance in a range of human pathogens and the continual development of infectious diseases present further challenges for infection control.
To protect residents, staff, and visitors from infection, the risk must be eliminated, reduced or managed effectively. This can be mitigated by safe systems of work outlined in the hierarchy of controls.
Read the NHS website for more information and resources.
Page last updated: 6 November 2025
