2024 International Infection Prevention Week

Having started on Oct. 13 and continuing through Oct. 19, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), established in 1986, aims to shine a light on infection prevention each year. This year’s theme, Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention, emphasizes the role that individuals can play in the health and safety of their community by showcasing the science behind infection prevention, the importance of countering misinformation, and inspiring the world’s future infection preventionists (IPs) to join the fight. 

Organized by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the week encourages healthcare personnel, patients, and families to celebrate the bravery and expertise of the infection prevention and control community.

To help you use this week to promote your own initiatives, the IIPW website has several resources, including a promotion toolkit, that you can use within your facility to increase excitement over the mission.

For more ideas, read The Missing Step in Handwashing, which gives attention to the importance of hand drying to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Also check out new research in the article Understaffed Hospitals for Infection Prevention and Control Have Higher Rates of Infection, which show the impact of understaffed hospitals on preventing infections.