Diploma in Hospital Infection Control (Dip HIC)

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Infection Control
• Public Health

Background:

• The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has introduced a new Diploma in Hospital Infection Control (Dip-HIC).
• This program is a collaboration between the Hospital Infection Society (HIS) and the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To equip infection control staff with systematic scientific training.
• To enable professionals to provide and manage comprehensive hospital infection control services.
• To foster a multi-disciplinary approach to infection control education.

Main Methods:

• The course curriculum covers essential topics such as epidemiology, clinical microbiology, health economics, statistics, surveillance, and patient management.
• It is designed as a multi-disciplinary program.
• The program is open to both UK and international students, including medical and non-medical professionals.

Main Results:

• The establishment of a dedicated diploma program signifies a structured approach to advancing expertise in hospital infection control.
• The multi-disciplinary nature ensures a holistic understanding of infection prevention and control strategies.
• The program aims to enhance the capabilities of infection control teams globally.

Conclusions:

• The Dip-HIC program at LSHTM provides essential, systematic training for infection control professionals.
• It addresses the need for specialized education in managing and preventing hospital-acquired infections.
• The course prepares a diverse group of students to lead and implement effective infection control services.