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.