APIC Urges States to Proclaim International Infection Prevention Week, October 18-24, 2009.

WASHINGTON -- To bring greater attention to the critical need to protect patients and the public from the risk of healthcare-associated infections, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), in collaboration with 3M Health Care, is urging nationwide recognition of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) October 18-24, 2009. Through the theme "Infection prevention is everyone's business," APIC is calling upon all 50 states and Congress to issue proclamations recognizing IIPW 2009.

"IIPW presents an opportunity to raise awareness about the important work of infection preventionists and the need for well-supported infection prevention departments," said APIC 2009 President Christine J. Nutty, RN, MSN, CIC. "We ask healthcare leaders to embrace the concept of prevention and promote a culture within the institution where infection prevention is part of everyone's job."

At the kick-off event in Washington, DC, on October 16, APIC will announce the winner of the first annual Healthcare Administrator Award, presented to a member of a healthcare facility's executive team who has demonstrated significant and sustained support of the organization's infection prevention team. Members of the infection control community will be able to view the program via live Webcast.

With support from 3M Health Care through an unrestricted educational grant, APIC will offer a series of free webinars for health professionals October 20-22 on current infection prevention topics.

IIPW was established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan who proclaimed the third week in October as National Infection Control Week and called upon all "federal, state, and local government agencies, health organizations, communications, media, and people" to take part in educational activities and programs.

APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The association's more than 12,000 members direct infection prevention programs that save lives and improve the bottom line for hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy and credentialing. Visit APIC online at www.apic.org. For consumer-related information, visit www.preventinfection.org.