Introduction

Home Healthcare Infection Control focuses on preventing infections in home-based care settings where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals share responsibility for safe practices. Unlike hospitals, home environments present unique challenges such as limited supervision, variable hygiene conditions, and reliance on patients and family caregivers for daily care activities.

This course emphasizes practical infection prevention strategies tailored to home healthcare, including risk assessment, caregiver education, safe device care, and early identification of infection signs. The program supports healthcare teams in delivering safe, high-quality care while minimizing infection risks outside traditional healthcare facilities.

Scope

This program covers infection control principles and practices specific to home healthcare settings, including:

• Unique infection risks associated with home-based care
• Standard precautions adapted for home environments
• Hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene in household settings
• Safe care of catheters, wounds, drains, and other medical devices at home
• Environmental cleanliness and safe handling of household items
• Waste handling, sharps safety, and spill management in home care
• Patient and caregiver education and engagement
• Early recognition and reporting of infection signs and symptoms
• Safe coordination with hospitals, clinics, and home-care agencies
• Documentation, communication, and continuity of care

Objectives

By the end of the program, learners will be able to:

• Understand infection risks unique to home healthcare environments.
• Apply practical infection prevention measures in patients’ homes.
• Educate patients and caregivers on safe hygiene and care practices.
• Prevent device- and procedure-related infections in home settings.
• Identify early signs of infection and ensure timely escalation.
• Support continuity of safe care between home and healthcare facilities.
• Promote patient safety, dignity, and caregiver confidence.
• Contribute to improved infection outcomes in home healthcare services.

Who Can Enroll

This program is suitable for:

• Home-care nurses and caregivers
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) nurses and officers
• Staff nurses involved in community and outreach services
• Physicians overseeing home healthcare patients
• Allied health professionals providing home-based services
• Care coordinators and case managers
• Healthcare trainees involved in community and home care

Study Content from TERRALEAP.COM

Learners receive structured study support through TERRALEAP.COM, including:

• Expert-led videos on infection prevention in home healthcare
• Scenario-based learning focused on real-life home care situations
• Guided explanations of caregiver education and risk management
• Learning resources designed to support safe, consistent home care practices