MRSA Notes

“Approximately 2 million health-care–associated infections occur in hospitals in the United States each year, resulting in 90,000 deaths (1). Health-care–associated infections are estimated to cost more than $4.5 billion per year (1). For 30 years, CDC and infection-control professionals have implemented prevention strategies to reduce health-care–associated infections. International Infection Prevention Week (formerly Infection Control Week) was established in 1986 by presidential proclamation to focus public and professional attention on health-care–associated infections and other infectious diseases.

The theme of this year’s International Infection Prevention Week is "Infection Prevention: It’s in Your Hands." During the week of October 17–23, health-care facilities worldwide are encouraged to conduct special educational activities to emphasize adherence to practices that can prevent infections (e.g., proper hand hygiene). International Infection Prevention Week will be featured on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/prevention_week.htm.

A free copy of the 2005 International Infection Prevention Week tool kit is available from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. at http://www.apic.org. In addition, the World Health Organization is promoting the 2005–2006 Global Patient Safety Challenge entitled, "Clean Care is Safer Care." Information about this program is available at http://www.who.int/patientsafety/challenge/en.”

International Infection Prevention Week — October 17–23, 2005

Share This