Association for Professionals in Infection Control has more than 14,000 members and is the leading professional association for infection preventionists. Most members are nurses, medical technologists, epidemiologists, public health professionals and physicians, who educate healthcare personnel and the public about infectious diseases and how to limit their spread. They also collaborate with other consumer groups, professional associations, and legislators to highlight the importance of preventing infections.
International Infection Prevention Week provides an opportunity to highlight the vision of APIC, which is the belief that it is the right time to advance toward healthcare without infection. Weed Army Community Hospital has joined APIC as a key partner for International Infection Prevention Week, Oct. 14 – 20. We want to emphasize the importance of infection prevention and the role consumers can play to stay safe when they visit a healthcare facility.
Infection preventionists help protect you from healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare-associated infections can occur while a patient receives care or treatment and are often preventable. Infection preventionists work in many healthcare settings, including WACH. Their first priority is your safety. They strive to keep you – visitors, volunteers, employees, and healthcare providers safe from infection.
During your visit to WACH or the Mary E. Walker Health Clinic, you may not see the infection preventionists, but the presence of infection prevention is everywhere throughout the facility. These include hand sanitizer gels or rubs inside and/or outside patient rooms or waiting areas, hand washing stations, and disinfecting wipes. You will also see healthcare providers wearing gloves, masks, and gowns. Environmental services cleaning staff, who clean and disinfect surfaces throughout the healthcare facility also play an important role in Infection Control.
Join the staff at the WACH and the Mary E. Walker Health Clinic as we pledge our commitment to good hand hygiene. You can pledge your commitment to these three simple steps to prevent infection:
- Wash your hands and cover your cough.
- Ask your healthcare providers to do the same.
- Speak up if you have any questions about your care. After all, Infection Prevention is everyone’s business.
There will be pledge cards available for you to show your support during International Infection Prevention Week. These will be located in the main lobbies of WACH and Mary E. Walker Health Clinic. Your pledges will be posted in the lobbies for all to see.
