International Infection Prevention Week and Resources to Protect Patients, Workers, and Building Occupants

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has championed International Infection Prevention Week since 1986. For 2024, the annual event is taking place from October 13^th to the 19^th.

International Infection Prevention Week highlights the importance of infection prevention professionals and their efforts and control practices. These are crucial tasks as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that on any given day, about 1 in 31 patients receiving care in a hospital has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI). For nursing home residents, CDC shares that about 1 in 43 has at least one infection in association with their healthcare.

HAIs are infections that patients get while receiving, or soon after receiving, health care. They can also occur from being in a medical setting, such as a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, surgery center, or nursing home. There are numerous different organisms that can cause HAIs, and these bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites can be spread in various ways. These could include direct or indirect contact, ingestion, and inhalation.

“Preventing pathogens from entering healthcare altogether is not possible, since that’s where the infirm congregate for care. Fortunately, there are numerous tools and techniques to mitigate exposure risks to pathogens,” said Derrick A. Denis, Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark. “At CSC, our infection control and indoor environmental quality professionals are dedicated to protecting patients, residents, workers, and building occupants. What is the one thing CSC and other infection prevention professionals can do to help you reduce HIAs in your facility? The one thing we can do is to raise awareness that there is no single thing that can be done to reduce HAIs. Infection prevention requires an integrated approach with continuous and varied efforts by all verticals in a facility. An all hands-on-deck commitment and ongoing efforts are the pathways to protecting occupants.”

Mr. Denis went on to say, “The experts at CSC help clients implement and monitor the various efforts to mitigate infection risks. We provide training to raise awareness and dispel myths about common and emerging HAIs. We provide building assessments to identify gaps in the efforts control of pathogens. CSC tests air and surfaces for pathogens of concern. We evaluate ventilation systems that can distribute airborne pathogens. CSC evaluates aseptic techniques. We help ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We challenge cleaning and sanitization efficacy in common areas, patient rooms and in operating theaters. CSC advises on construction and renovation design. We help plan for potential events, and we respond to outbreaks. And, that is just a typical Monday at CSC.”

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about International Infection Prevention Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4op0-mlaNIY

To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul S Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail