Some of the best infection control experts are laying out the plan on how to fight Healthcare-Associated Infections in the next decade.  The International Conference on HAIs just wrapped up in Atlanta – it marked the first time that four leading scientific organizations committed to infection prevention are working together to further a scientific and educational agenda toward elimination of HAIs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiologists of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) spent five days discussing various types of infections and how to curb them.  You can read  more about the conference online.

Some research shows there are some low-tech ways to cut down the possibility of HAIs – doing a quick nasal swab before surgery and using a different cleanser on the skin before surgery.  These simple steps and a long term plan can make a difference in protecting those in hospitals. You can help prevent these infections when you go to visit someone in a healthcare facility by using good personal hygiene, like washing your hands and covering your cough.