Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The objective of the course is to develop aseptic skills and learn the basics of microbiology from the perspective of infection control and disease prevention. 
After completing the course, the student
• has a comprehensive understanding of the basics of infection prevention in various nursing environments in Finland
• knows the microbial groups that are essential to health and is able to apply this knowledge to maintain health and prevent illness
• is able to apply and evaluate the principles of aseptic work in different nursing environments and is able to justify their actions with evidence-based practice 
• knows the key vocabulary of infection control in Finnish

Content (course unit)

• essential microbes in nursing, their routes and modes of transmission
• the role of microbes in the prevention of infections; principles of microbial reproduction
• aseptic work in different nursing environments in Finland
• the importance of personal and hand hygiene in aseptic working
• use of the precautions and different isolation measures in nursing care
• documentation of infection control in nursing 
• key infection control vocabulary in Finnish

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student
• knows the basic principles of infection prevention
• recognizes the microbial groups that are essential to health and knows how they spread
• can work according to aseptic principles without compromising patient safety 

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student
• has a structured understanding of the basics of infection prevention
• knows the main microbial groups relevant to health and understands the importance of their spread in maintaining health and preventing disease
• is able to work in accordance with the principles of aseptic work and justify his/her actions

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student
• has a broad understanding of the principles of infection prevention in different care environments
• knows the microbial groups relevant to health and is able to apply his/her knowledge to maintain health and prevent disease
• can apply and evaluate the principles of aseptic working in different nursing settings and justify actions based on evidence-based nursing practice

Location and time

Autumn 2024. TAMK.

The course orientation requires mandatory attendance if you wish to part-take. You also need to register for the course. Being late for the orientation session may likewise mean that you will not be able to part-take in the course.

Finnish lessons (3) linked to the content of this subject are likewise mandatory. These are face-to-face sessions. If you are absent, you will need to complete extensive tasks to compensate for absenteeism. The teacher will provide these on an individual basis.

Exam schedules

Both exams will include one question which will be derived from the Finnish language content of the course.

ASEPTICS
exam: week 40-42
re-exam 1: week 45 (only available for those who have not passed the initial exam)
re-exam 2: week 49 (only available for those who have not passed the exam)

MICROBIOLOGY
exam: week 43
re-exam 1: week 48 (only available for those who have not passed the initial exam)
re-exam 2: week 51 (only available for those who have not passed the exam)

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The teaching methods are decided by each teacher involved in teaching this course, depending on the pedagogical need. These methods may include lectures, workshops, group work, independent study, utilizing a virtual learning environment. There will be a final written exam on both course subjects (aseptics and microbiology). Finnish language will be integrated in one question in each of the two exams.

Hybrid sessions will not be organised. Links to attend remotely will not be provided on an individual basis.

The student takes responsibility for his/her own learning by adopting an active and adaptive approach to the learning tasks.

Students work in groups in order to develop their own learning, contribute to their fellow students’ learning and as a means to practice collaboration. The teacher’s role is to support students in using this working method.

Active participation in compulsory components is required in order to pass the course. Active participation means that the student contributes with work, interjections and/or their own reflections that are of relevance to the topic. The compulsory components are course orientation, Finnish lessons and group work -related work.

Learning materials

The recommended reading for this course includes the following as well as any material distributed by the teacher.

Aseptics:
Ross, Shona ; Furrows, Sarah. 2014. Rapid infection control nursing. Wiley Blackwell. E-book: https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/1j3mh4m/alma9910685347005973

Weston, Debbie, Burgess, Alison, Roberts, Sue, 2017. Infection prevention and control at a glance. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd 2017. E-book: https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/1j3mh4m/alma9911348291705973

Yoost, B.L. & Lynne, R. 2015. Clinical Companion for Fundamentals of Nursing: Active Learning for Collaborative Practice. Crawford Publisher. Chapter 22: Asepsis and infection control. E-book: https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/1j3mh4m/alma997438576905973

Microbiology:
Stuart Hogg, 2013. Essential Microbiology.(pages 3-4, 101-108, 243-245, 375-401, 421-424) e-book.
https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/r7s9o4/alma9911348315805973

Student workload

The course has two parts: aseptics and microbiology, 1 ECTS each.
The course includes contact teaching, group work, independent study for 2 ECTS in total 54 hours of student work.

Content scheduling

Aseptics 1cr
Microbiology 1cr

Completion alternatives

Alternative ways to complete the course can be provided only, if you have the appropriate and official documents as per TAMK guidelines.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Not applicable.

International connections

The primary teaching language in English. The course integrates Finnish language studies.

Further information

The implementation plan will be finalised by the course orientation and thus there may be changes to the content before then.

Course orientation (45minutes) requires mandatory attendance. Failure to attend or being late can result in failure to participate on the course.

The course requires you to register by latest during the orientation session. Late course registrations will not be accepted not will the teacher add anyone to the course.