Wordsearch: NHS Hygiene

A wordsearch where the key words are all linked to hygiene in hospitals and infection prevention and control measures.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach aimed at preventing patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infections. It encompasses various aspects of healthcare, including hand hygiene, surgical site infections, injection safety, and antimicrobial resistance. IPC is essential in both acute and community settings to ensure safety and quality of care.

IPC must be adhered to across all healthcare environments: in hospitals, GP practices and dental surgeries, as well as during community care (e.g. in patients’ homes). Therefore, all healthcare professionals are expected to know, understand and follow all IPC guidelines and it features as part of the professional standards healthcare careers.

I have used this activity with GCSE Health and Social students to consolidate knowledge of key terms. I then asked students to identify all the PPE in the list and explain what it is and why it is used in a clinical setting to reduce the risk of infection.

The keywords in the wordsearch are:
ANTIBACTERIAL, DECONTAMINATE, HAND WASHING, PREVENTION, INFECTION, DISINFECT, BACTERIA, CLEANING, FACEMASK, OUTBREAK, HYGIENE, HEALTHY, STERILE, GLOVES, SCRUBS, APRON, VIRUS, DIRTY, GOWN, RISK.