This week is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), which started in 1986 under a proclamation from President Reagan. For the 4th year in a row, October 20-26, 2013 is Arizona Infection Prevention Week. Since it started, the week has been used to spread awareness about interventions that promote safe healthcare practices and prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Arizona public health and healthcare professionals have been battling HAIs, in partnership with the CDC, through many activities to prevent healthcare-associated infections. HAIs are also one of our agency’s winnable battles. This week is a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work of the people who work every day to help control infections and to educate the community and healthcare professionals on infection prevention. 

In the past five years or so, ADHS has addressed infection prevention through the formation of the HAI program, Advisory Committee, and subcommittees. These committees have spearheaded interventions to battle HAIs with things like the Interfacility Infection Prevention Transfer Tool, Clostridium difficile Toolkit, and educational pamphlets on things like MRSA, C. diff, and VRE.  Check out www.preventHAIaz.gov to get more information about past IIPW events in Arizona or to get involved.