International Infection Prevention Week: “Infection Prevention Is Everyone’s Business”
October 18-24 is 2009’s International Infection Prevention Week (US) and National Infection Control Week (Canada).
About National Infection Control Week (Canada)
In Canada, Infection Control Week originated in 1988 to highlight infection control efforts in Canadian hospitals, long-term care facilities and in the community. It was an opportunity for infection control professionals to educate staff and the community about the importance of infection prevention and to promote the important work that was being done by infection control professionals in a visible and fun way. In 1989 the federal government proclaimed Infection Control Week as an annual event. (from CHICA-CANADA)
About International Infection Prevention Week (US)
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the third week in October as National Infection Control Week and called all ‘federal, state, and local government agencies, health organizations, communications, media, and people’ to take part in educational activities and programs during this designated week. (from APIC)
To mark Infection Prevention Week, APIC is hosting live webinars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, each dedicated to a particular “theme” in infection prevention. Tuesday’s webinar will be on “Collaboration“; Wednesday is “Hand Hygiene“, with a special focus on guidelines; and Thursday is “Surgical Site Infection/ OR Safety“.
If you don’t attend the webinars, you can still check out APIC’s educational brochures and guides, such as Tips to Prevent and Fight the Flu, Clean Hands Save Lives and Infection Control in an Emergency/Disaster Situation.
