Curricular Unit:			Code:
Microbiology in Hospital Infection Control			908MCIH
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Master	Clinical Microbiology	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Acquisition and/or improvement of knowledge allowing to: - Recognize the impact of the hospital-acquired infections; - Know the epidemiological chain of hospital-acquired infections (sources, dissemination routes, intervention points) and identify the most common microbial etiological agents; - Identify the infection prevention measures and infection control measures (from planning to implementation and monitoring), knowing the National Action Plans; - Recognize the importance of the epidemiological surveillance of infections and antimicrobial use in hospitals; - Identify crucial roles of the Microbiology Laboratory in hospital infection control programmes; - Identify measures for the rational use of antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants. It is intended the development of competences for the prevention and control of hospital infections, in order to promote their long-term decrease and the improvement of patient safety.
Syllabus:
1.Epidemiological chain of hospital infections 2.Most common agents of hospital infections Endogenous, Problem and Alert microorganisms 3.Historic data on the prevention and control of infections 4.Infection prevention measures Hand hygiene, isolation, others 5.Infection control measures 5.1 Monitoring: epidemiological surveillance of hospital infections and antibiotic use 5.1.1 Legal framework 5.1.2 Recommendations of the National Programme of Prevention and Control of Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance -Action Plan for the Prevention of Dissemination of Problem and Alert Microorganisms 6.Interaction of the Microbiology Laboratory with the Infection Control Committee 6.1 Epidemiological surveillance and prescription support 6.2 Detection, investigation (including typing) and control of outbreaks 6.3 Screening of patients at hospital admission (colonization by Problem and/or Alert Microorganisms) 7. Policies on rational use of antibiotics, antiseptics and disinfectants
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus, centered in an advanced scientific curricula, is fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course, as they allow a wide acquisition, integration and application, in a gradual and oriented way, of the diverse fundamental and specific concepts, knowledge and methodologies in Microbiology applied to the Control of Hospital-Acquired Infections. The workload of each of the syllabus content is also appropriated for the acquisition of knowledge and competences by the student. Therefore, the student should be able to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Pedagogic execution: presentation of the relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom, practical application of some concepts, orientation of student’s self-study by analysis of recommended bibliography. Debate on pertinent issues related to the syllabus contents exposed in the classroom. Continuous assessment [including: i) two written assessment tests and ii) individual work of the student, as resolution of real clinical cases and/or epidemiological problems (in the context of outbreaks of hospital-acquired infections, epidemics or pandemics), and deepening of scientific knowledge through literature search].
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The teaching methodologies (theoretical exposition, debate, practical application of concepts, and orientation of self-study) are fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course, as they allow a gradual acquisition, critical reflection, integration and application of the technical-scientific knowledge. The workload of each of the syllabus content is also appropriated for the fulfillment of the learning outcomes. The analysis and resolution of real clinical cases and epidemiological situations (e.g. outbreaks of hospital infections) strengthens the knowledge on specific topics, promote the reflection and the critical thinking, and reinforces the acquisition of competences. The constant interaction between the teacher and the student in the classroom and in individual tutorial sessions (in which the student will individually have the teacher’s support to fill in gaps or change study strategy) will allow to adequate the student to acquire the objectives. The assessment tests will be used to evaluate the individual scientific knowledge and competences, allowing the confirmation of the learning outcomes fulfillment. The analysis of clinical cases and real epidemiological problems in hospital context, the deepening of scientific knowledge through literature search, and the application of acquired knowledge to known situations will contribute to stimulate scientific curiosity, to enhance the student autonomy regarding the bibliographic search and reference management, and to improve scientific communication skills.
Reading:
(1) Mayhall, C. G. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control. (4th edition). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011. (2) Diekema D. J., Saubolle, M. A. Clinical Microbiology and Infection Prevention. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2011; 49:S57-S60. (3) Sousa JC, Machado E, Novais C, Peixe L, Amorim J, Monteiro N. Antibióticos – Volume I. Edições Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 2016. (4) Jorgensen, J. H., Pfaller, M. A., Carroll, K. C., Funke, G., Landry, M. L., Richter, S. S., Warnock, D. W. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. (11th edition). ASM Press, 2015. (5) Barroso, H., Meliço-Silvestre, A., Taveira, N. Microbiologia Médica. Lidel, 2014. (6) Direcção-Geral da Saúde (DGS). Microsite do Programa de Prevenção e Controlo de Infeções e Resistência aos Antimicrobianos (PPCIRA) (http://www.dgs.pt/programa-de-prevencao-e-controlo-de-infecoes-e-de-resistencia-aos-antimicrobianos.aspx). DGS, 2015. (7) Artigos científicos recomendados para cada tema.