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Infection Prevention Week is an annual event raising awareness about infection prevention. It runs from 13th to 19th October 2024, shining a light on better infection prevention & control practices. This year’s theme is “Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention.”
In this guide:
What is Infection Prevention Week?
Infection Prevention Week runs every year in October. Established in 1986 by Infection Prevention and You, it’s a chance to raise awareness about one of the most important topics in healthcare. The week runs from 13th to 19th October 2024.
Considering healthcare-associated infections are estimated to cost the NHS £2.7 billion annually, accounting for 28,500 patient deaths, implementing rigorous infection controls should be a central issue. During the week, the problem is put front and centre, sparking a conversation within the healthcare community and the wider public.
The Importance of Infection Prevention in Healthcare
When we talk about modern healthcare, topics like advanced cancer drugs, revolutionary surgical procedures, or the latest lifestyle interventions dominate. Yet, the untold story of healthcare is that of infection control.
Ever since germ theory was introduced, we’ve seen a precipitous drop in deaths. Basic things like washing hands, using personal protective equipment, and other infection prevention initiatives save tens of thousands, if not millions, of lives annually.
Within hospitals, clinics, and care facilities, these actions take on a greater importance. People within these settings often have an impaired immune system, making them more vulnerable to opportunistic infections. By reducing the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), we can save lives, improve outcomes, and make better use of finite NHS resources. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than the cure.”
Infection Prevention Initiatives
Infection prevention is one of the most affordable and effective interventions in healthcare. In comparison to cutting-edge research and technologies, it involves little more than soap and water (and a little alcohol gel). Yet, considering that 6.4% of inpatients in acute care hospitals in 2011 had an HCAI, you can see the potential. Avoiding pneumonia, clinical sepsis, and bloodstream infections is as simple as rigorous hygiene practices.
Think about these infection prevention initiatives:
Hand Washing. Your hands are one of the primary vectors for infection transmission. Touching doorknobs, patients, your own face, and other surfaces spread infection. Washing your hands after seeing patients and using the alcohol gel as you enter a new environment minimises the potential to spread.
Personal Protecting Equipment (PPE). As we learned during the pandemic, PPE is essential for the protection of yourself and others. It stops viral and bacterial diseases from contaminating your clothes and reduces the spread of respiratory droplets. While N95 masks are the gold standard, even surgical masks offer some benefits.
Environmental Cleaning Standards. A clean environment involves disinfecting surfaces, removing all visible dust, dirt, and contamination, and ensuring it’s safe for patients and other vulnerable people. High-frequency touch points, in particular, should be regularly cleaned.
Key Focus Areas for Infection Prevention Week 2024
Every year, Infection Prevention Week focuses on a different topic. This year’s theme is “Moving the Needle.” It covers several different areas of infection prevention, hoping to push change and highlight current problems. Each day of the week, there is a chance to post on social media, attend seminars, and learn about infection prevention in action. Here’s what to expect:
Moving the Needle on the Profession’s Development (14th October)
Infection Prevention & You is starting the week with an X and Instagram Threads chat between 12 pm ET –1 pm ET. Use #IIPWCHat to join in.
Moving the Needle on Healthcare Worker Safety (15th October)
Healthcare workers are just as much at risk as everyone else. Indeed, tens of thousands of days are lost each year because healthcare professionals fall ill from HCAIs. You can attend the APIC( Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Microbiology) - AI Summit (9 am ET – 5 pm ET) - to learn about the future of medicine and understand case studies about technology and infection prevention.
It’s also Global Handwashing Day. Get creative, designing, testing, and replicating ways to encourage people to wash their hands. It’s the #1 solution for infection prevention.
Moving the Needle on Patient Safety (16th October)
Patient safety is central to infection prevention. Too many illnesses occur each year due to poor hygiene and cleanliness practices. Two big events are happening on this day. First, there’s “IPC at Home and Abroad,” which is hosted by APIC and NHSN (National Healthcare and Safety Network) -9 – 11.30 am ET) - and second, the WHO is hosting a global webinar about “Supporting countries to strengthen HAI surveillance.” The WHO has also published a new practice handbook on HAI surveillance to help fight against preventable infections.
Moving the Needle on Public Health Preparedness (17th October)
Infection prevention shot to the forefront of public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it is handwashing, PPE supplies, or the value of vaccination, public health plays a crucial role in infection prevention.
On the 17th October, it’s an opportunity to promote the flu shot and/or COVID vaccine. Share your pics of getting vaccinated and praise the benefits of prevention. You can also spark a conversation about adequate PPE stockpiles.
Moving the Needle Across the Continuum of Care (18th October)
The continuum of care covers everything from hospitals to care homes and GPs. It’s every stage in the patient’s journey. Remember, infections aren’t restricted to hospital wards – they occur anywhere at any time. Even your local GP practice presents a risk of infection, but also the chance to prevent it through vaccinations and good hygiene practices.
Clean Hospitals Day falls on the 18th October. It was created to bring international attention to the value of healthcare environmental hygiene. Much of the infection burden could be alleviated with greater hospital cleanliness, raising the bar on what’s acceptable.
How Patients and Visitors Can Contribute
When you visit a loved one in a hospital, you may (unintentionally) spread an infection. You could have the early stages of a common cold, touched a contaminated surface, or failed to practice good hygiene in the hospital. It’s understandable – most of us aren’t used to washing our hands multiple times an hour.
That being said, you can minimise your risk with some sensible advice. Follow these tips:
Wash Hands Frequently: Use soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially after touching surfaces, before eating, and after using the bathroom.
Wear Masks When Needed: In crowded or high-risk areas, wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
Stay Home If Unwell: If you have symptoms like coughing, fever, or shortness of breath, avoid going out and interacting with others.
Avoid Touching Your Face: Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose, and dispose of tissues properly.
Maintain Social Distance: Stay at least 1 metre away from others, especially in public places.
Educational Resources and Activities During the Week
International Infection Prevention Week is a time of action. Put your social media accounts to good work, sharing infographics, statistics, and other helpful advice to spread the word. You’ll find plenty of information at:
We’ve covered some of the events and seminars happening during Infection Prevention Week 2024. Most of these are online events you’re free to attend. You can see the full schedule for the Infection Prevention Week on their website.
Together for a Safer Environment
International Infection Prevention Week isn’t about lecturing or empty words. Together, we emphasise the shared responsibility of healthcare workers, patients, and the general public to reduce the infectious disease burden. Through sensible policies and preventative actions, we can cut down the tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths.
But while it’s important to seize the opportunity to raise awareness, infection prevention is year-round. Participation is an ongoing process, remembering to wash our hands, wear PPE, and get vaccinated. We encourage you to take proactive steps to protect yourself and others – including applying for this year’s flu jab and COVID-19 vaccine. It’s the best step to prevent infections.
References
Written by:
Dr Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc
Reviewed and approved by:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
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