Information for the public
About this information
NICE clinical guidelines advise the NHS on caring for people with specific conditions or diseases and the treatments they should receive. The information applies to people using the NHS in England and Wales.
This information explains the advice about preventing infections in people having treatment or care at home or in the community that is set out in NICE clinical guideline 139.
This is an update of advice on the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in primary and community care that NICE produced in 2003.
Does this information apply to me?
Yes, if you are:
-
an adult or child receiving healthcare in primary care or community care
-
a healthcare worker, family member and other carer who provides healthcare in primary care or community care.
It does not specifically look at people receiving healthcare in hospital.
This information is to help you understand what you, your carers and healthcare workers should do to reduce the risk of infection when you are having treatment or care. It does not describe the types of healthcare in detail. Your healthcare worker should discuss these with you.