October 22, 2013
In honor of International Infection Prevention Week, CDDEP is partnering with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) to spread awareness about what can be done to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
HAIs pose a significant threat to global health. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around one in 20 hospitalized patients in the US will contract an infection while receiving treatment, costing the healthcare system approximately $10 billion annually. In the UK, around 6% of patients acquire some form of infection while in hospital, with the National Health Service (NHS) listing norovirus, Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and pneumonia among the most common infections. In the developing world, meanwhile, healthcare surveillance systems are often weak, meaning HAIs have a higher chance of spreading unmonitored.
APIC s new Infection Prevention and You campaign provides resources for patients and healthcare professionals alike, emphasizing the need to be proactive about taking preventive measures. These include frequent hand washing, appropriate use of antibiotics and staying up-to-date on vaccinations.
To learn more about infection prevention and International Infection Prevention Week, check out APIC s Infection Prevention and You website (www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou) and follow APIC on Twitter (@APIC).
