Jamaica Hospital Working to “Break the Chain of Infection”

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), which takes place the third week of October each year, is intended to raise awareness about how infection prevention plays an important role in patient safety.

Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has spearheaded the annual effort to highlight the importance of infection prevention among healthcare professionals, administrators, legislators, and consumers.

Over the years, this week of recognition has vastly expanded to every corner of the globe, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. As the reach of IIPW widens, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced threat of healthcare-associated infections.

This week gives an opportunity to infection control professionals to educate staff and the community about the importance of infection prevention and to promote the important work that is being done by infection control professionals in a visible and fun way.

The 2016 theme is “Break the Chain of Infection.” Infection Prevention Professionals want to spread the message about how the public and healthcare professionals can help “Break the Chain of Infection” in healthcare settings and in the community.

To help spread the word about Infection Prevention; Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Infection Control Department will be sharing information in the hospital’s main lobby on Wednesday, October 19. Join us to learn more about how you can break the chain of infection.

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