International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) is October 16-22. IIPW is an annual week of recognition each year dedicated to raising awareness of the role infection prevention plays in improving patient safety. It was established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan and is now run by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). It is recognized all over the world, and the 2016 theme is: “Break the Chain of Infection”.
Break the Chain of Infection is about stopping the chain reaction of events that occurs when infections spread to others. Highlights of this year’s theme include speaking up for your care, keeping your hands clean, asking about safe injection practices, and more. Many times infections are preventable and you can learn how to be an infection preventionist. For helpful tools and more information on how you can be a part of IIPW you can check out the IIPW website. You can access sample social media posts, newsletter copy, ideas for hosting an IIPW event and other online resources. These resources are meant for children and adults so everyone can learn how to break the chain of infection any day. There will also be a Twitter chat on October 17 at 2 p.m. EDT so be sure to join the conversation.
The Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program offers a complete line of hand hygiene solutions to fully match the APIC guideline for infection prevention. Let your hands choose.