LARNED — To spread the message that everyone plays a role in infection prevention, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is proud to support International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), which occurs globally Oct. 18-24.
“Patients and families play an important role in infection prevention and we are proud to highlight ways in which they can be engaged during International Infection Prevention Week,” says Mark Colglazier, PVCH’s Infection Control Manager.
The 2015 IIPW theme is engaging patients and families in the prevention of infections. Patients and families play a critical role in preventing the spread of infection. And to help foster an open environment for conversation, APIC created informational materials titled “Clean Hands Stop Germs.” This is available in several formats on the “Infection Prevention and You” website:  www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou.
To emphasize that everyone plays a role in infection prevention, APIC has downloadable and shareable educational resources and activities available for both consumer and healthcare professionals. Materials include information on timely infection prevention topics. The “Infection Prevention and You” website is accessible here: www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou.
 “We want those in our community to feel engaged in infection prevention.  Infection prevention is everyone’s business,” said Mark Colglazier.  “The best way that patients, family and visitors can help stop the spread of infections is by cleaning your hands and asking everyone around you to do the same. Hand hygiene is critical in saving lives.”
IIPW raises awareness of the role infection prevention plays to improve patient safety and promotes the belief that everyone plays a role in infection prevention. Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, APIC has spearheaded the annual effort to highlight the importance of infection prevention among healthcare professionals, administrators, legislators, and consumers. It is now formally recognized in many areas around the world including the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. As IIPW expands, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced threat of healthcare-associated infections. Learn more about IIPW on Facebook and Twitter (#IIPW).