This week is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). Established in 1986, IIPW raises awareness of the role infection prevention plays in improving patient safety. This year’s theme, “The Future is Infection Prevention: 50 Years of Infection Prevention”, aims to show appreciation for APIC’s past work in infection prevention while inspiring new IPs to continue this important work.

Though there are many ways to reduce the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), the most important way is to clean your hands. Symmetry strives to reduce HAIs with gentle products that people want to use in reliable dispensing systems.

Symmetry’s programmatic approach to hand hygiene educates and encourages proper hand hygiene practice with educational tools, the Symmetry Behavior Modification System, and Point of Care tools. Its education and awareness tools include posters and wall charts, designed to explain the “How” and “Why” of proper hand hygiene. The Symmetry Behavior Modification System consists of a series of unique placards and signs with messages designed to inspire and maximize hand hygiene practices. Symmetry Point of Care items include suction cups, brackets, and lanyards that make it possible to access hand sanitizer while workers are in contact with patients and are at the highest risk of spreading germs.

On behalf of Symmetry and Buckeye International, we’d like to thank our IPs for the work they continue to do while fighting COVID-19, the flu, and other healthcare associated infections. International Infection Prevention Week happens every third week of October, but infection prevention is a full-time job. Check out all of the tools APIC provides to keep you informed about infection prevention here.

Contact your local representative for more information about Symmetry products and how a complete hand hygiene program can improve compliance in your facility.

Next week Symmetry^® representatives will gather with nearly 5,000 healthcare professionals at the APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) 2018 Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN. With a goal of infection prevention, APIC will present opportunities to learn about the latest technologies and best practices for healthcare professionals. From June 13-15, APIC will host more than 100 education sessions, making it one of the most comprehensive infection prevention conferences in the world.

Learn about the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program in Booth #1221 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Representatives will be there to discuss the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention, especially at point of care. Symmetry’s innovative technologies can improve hand hygiene in your facility and reduce the spread of germs. Here are a few topics they will be discussing:

Point of Care and National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 07.01.01

Recently the Joint Commission stated that they would issue a Requirement for Improvement for any observation of individual failure to preform hand hygiene in the course of direct patient care. Symmetry’s Point of Care tools are there for the moments when healthcare workers are in contact with patients and are at high risk of spreading germs. Symmetry offers various 550 and 50 ml options for tray tables, bed rales, supply carts, and more to help individual caretakers to remember to sanitize and wash their hands.

Proven Clinical Acceptance

When asked to compare Symmetry products to their current hand hygiene products, 97% of Symmetry Challenge Respondents chose Symmetry. Symmetry hand washes and hand sanitizers clean hands leaving no sticky residue behind.

Behavior Modification

Symmetry utilizes behavioral science to drive hand hygiene practices. Beyond having products that are gentle on hands, Symmetry uses signs and placards with messages designed to inspire and maximize hand hygiene practices.

Symmetry Products are Triclosan-Free

Because the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized a rule that bans the marketing of over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare antiseptic products containing triclosan, some healthcare facilities are looking for safer, alternative options. All Symmetry products are triclosan-free.

Next week, learn about each of these features and more. Meet with a Symmetry representative at APIC and get to know the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program.

 

This week (Oct 15-21) is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). Each year, in the third week of October, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) hosts IIPW to educate both professionals and consumers on the role of infection prevention in patient safety. This year’s theme is Antibiotic Resistance. APIC has a complete toolkit available to help raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and other issues related to infection prevention.

Infection prevention has many facets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene is one of the most important steps in reducing the spread of germs.

Buckeye developed the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program to speak to the importance of hand hygiene in every facility. This complete program provides hand sanitizers and hand washes that reduce common disease-causing bacteria. For healthcare facilities, convenient point of care tools are available before, during, and after patient contact to improve the health and safety of patients and healthcare workers. Symmetry also comes with customizable awareness and education materials to help you maximize hand hygiene practices in your facility.

APIC also has a number of tools and resources to help spread awareness about infection prevention. These tools are accessible throughout Infection Prevention Week and beyond. For more information on Buckeye’s Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program, contact your local Buckeye representative.

 

Join us in celebrating International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 15-21. The goal of International Infection Prevention Week is to raise awareness of the role of infection prevention in improving patient safety.

The theme of 2017 IIPW is Antibiotic Resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics each year. Of those 2 million, 23,000 people die as a result of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antibiotic resistance one of the biggest global health threats facing the world today. Patients and families can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance by knowing when antibiotics work and when they don’t. Antibiotics work on bacterial infections but do not cure viral infections.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is committed to preventing infections and provides resources for those who wish to participate in IIPW. These resources include social media memes, games and activities, polls and quizzes, e-cards, podcasts and videos, and more. On October 17 at 2 p.m. ET, APIC will also host a Twitter chat using #IIPWChat to discuss how healthcare providers, patients, and families can break the chain of infection in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Follow APIC on Twitter here.

According to the CDC and WHO, hand hygiene is one of the most important steps in reducing the spread of germs. Buckeye offers the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program in support of infection prevention.

Contact your local Buckeye representative to find out more about the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program.

 

APIC, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the largest infection prevention conference in the world, is next week! From June 14th-16th in Portland, Oregon, healthcare professionals will come together to learn about advances in infection prevention.

This is the 44th Annual Conference. It will feature over 90 educational sessions and workshops, and over 270 exhibits. Thousands of healthcare professionals come to learn from infection prevention experts and experience the latest technology through hands-on demonstrations.

Visit the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program booth #909. Clean hands are the first and simplest step to reducing the spread of germs. Learn how to increase hand hygiene compliance rates in your healthcare facility with the Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program by visiting us at APIC.

To learn more about APIC, visit their website.