October 15-21, 2017 marks International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. IIPW focuses on the problem of antibiotic resistance and provides actions that patients, healthcare providers, government groups, and others can take to reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance. To get involved in IIPW:
- Download this promotion toolkit from the Association for Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), which includes: sample social media posts, newsletter content, and infographics/buttons.
- Participate in the Twitter Chat (#IIPWChat) on Tuesday, October 17 at 2 pm ET.
- Join the IIPW Thunderclap campaign before 12pm ET on October 18.
NACCHO has signed on to support IIPW as a partner and we encourage our local health department members to join, as well, to spread the important message about keeping patients safe from infection.