Centre for Infection Prevention and Management (CIPM)

Specialty
The Centre is a UKCRC funded initiative, which brings together Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and the Health Protection Agency. Established in 2009, our aim is to tackle healthcare associated infection and antibiotic resistance in a multifaceted and multidisciplinary way.

This includes:
• Capacity building (education and training)
• Developing novel and rapid diagnostics to identify virulent strains earlier than existing tests (laboratory research)
• Changing habits/behaviours to prevent the spread of infection and improve antibiotic prescribing (social sciences)
• Improving the adoption of Innovation in the NHS (health management research)
• Developing  innovative surveillance tools and indicators (epidemiology research) 

Tackling healthcare associated infection
The aim of the education work stream is to ensure a skilled academic, clinical scientific and medical workforce exists to deliver clinical care, research and leadership in infection prevention.  We champion novel methods of course delivery, and work closely with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and the HPA to deliver courses to a variety of healthcare professionals and scientists.  

Courses available range single study days, through short modules to longer courses such as postgraduate certificates, diplomas and MSc courses.

MSc courses
The MSc courses consist of both a taught component and a research component. The taught component is delivered through blended learning involving some time at Imperial College in London and some time at home working through online learning. For the research component, we encourage research to be carried out at the base hospital or trust, however projects can be organised at Imperial College if required.

Postgraduate certificate and diploma options
Parts of our MSc courses are also available as part-time certificates or diplomas. These courses are delivered over eight or 16 months and consist of the taught components of the course only. 

Single modules and study days
For individuals who do not wish to complete a prescribed course, all our MSc modules are available as stand-alone modules and many of the days as single study days.

Available courses
MSc infection management for pharmacists
The primary objective of this unique course is to promote the role of infectious diseases pharmacists nationally and so enhance prudent antimicrobial prescribing, optimising patient treatment and tackling the problems of resistance. Graduates of the course can expect to have obtained a full understanding of the key issues surrounding the management of infection today.

MSc infection
The Infection programme is aimed at nurses and professions allied to health as well as healthcare managers.  It is designed to provide current knowledge and evidence relating to the basics of infection and the treatment and management of infectious diseases, infection prevention and control practice, and organisational healthcare management.

Study days and short courses
Numerous short courses and study days have been delivered by the Centre covering various aspects of both infectious diseases and infection prevention and control.

Examples of recent courses are:
• Patient advocacy and quality improvement: The nurses’ role in antimicrobial management and infection prevention
• Infection prevention in acute care: Supporting the role of the DIPC (one day)
• Update in infection for clinicians and scientists (two days)
• How to deliver and measure safe and effective OPAT services (one day)
• Understanding the role of media in healthcare (one day)

Online learning
Where possible, all the courses run by the Centre have a dedicated online learning course with them. Here, participants can see copies of the presentations, watch recordings of the lecturers and download podcasts to listen to at a later date.
• www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/cipm
• www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/cipm/courses