Infection Prevention – Staying Ahead of the Game!

National Infection Control Week – October 20-24, 2014

October 20-26, 2014 is International Infection Prevention Week.

Infection Prevention and Control programs are widely recognized as being both clinically effective and cost-effective in preventing and controlling the spread of infections in health care settings. Infection Prevention and Control programs protect clients / patients / residents and staff alike by preventing infections before they occur.

Such prevention results in better clinical outcomes, fewer healthcare acquired infections, reduced length of hospital stay, and less antimicrobial resistance, resulting in important cost saving for the health care system.

Ultimately, the most effective way to prevent the transmission of infection is through hand hygiene, effective environmental cleaning, and staying home when you are sick. When you are out and about in the community, at work or visiting one of our many healthcare facilities, you can do your part and prevent transmission of infection by:

• Cleaning your hands. It is an ordinary procedure and does not take a lot of time and effort. You can use soap and water or alcohol based hand rub. It takes only 20-30 seconds of your time to clean your hands.
• Killing germs that are on surfaces. This is a 2-step process. First clean then apply a disinfectant. For example, clean and disinfect food contact surfaces (cutting boards, counters, utensils) with 200 ppm chlorine (mix 1 teaspoon of unscented bleach into 4 cups of water) and allow the surface to air dry.
• Staying home when you are sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. This protects others from your germs when you are most contagious. Stay home and rest until these symptoms pass.

Everyone can help prevent the spread of infections by being involved, and initiating change in their own way. Keep in mind that National Infection Control Week is just the beginning.

For additional information contact: Health Protection and Investigation, Region of Waterloo Public Health, 519-575-4400 or visit the Infection Control in Institutions