October 14-20th is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). As I reflect on our field, I am so proud of what Infection Preventionists (IPs) have accomplished and our role every day in protecting patients, healthcare workers, and visitors in healthcare facilities. What I love most about infection prevention is that no day is ever the same and I am constantly learning something new. But most of all, I love that IPs make a difference – especially in the lives of patients. In my role as Clinical Manager at GOJO, I focus primarily on hand hygiene, which is foundational to infection prevention and one of the best tools we have for protecting patients everywhere.
This year’s IIPW theme is “Protecting Patients Everywhere.” IIPW is an opportunity for IPs to raise awareness to the role we play in patient safety. If you have not spread awareness within your facility before, take a moment this year to equip your facility’s public relations or communications department with helpful information. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has put together materials to help highlight the key points of IIPW and the infection prevention profession. Check out the toolkit for materials and ideas to protect patients in your facility. Also, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clean Hands Count Campaign.