On any given day, CDC reports that about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection.
This week (October 19-25), we are celebrating Infection Prevention Week. This event recognizes the dedication of professionals (infection preventionists) who work hard to prevent and control the spread of diseases to keep patients and staff safe.
About Infection Prevention and Control
Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are used to prevent or stop the spread of infections and disease. In healthcare settings, this includes practices such as:
- Washing hands
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed
- Gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns
- Properly cleaning and sterilizing surfaces and medical instruments
- Staying up to date on recommended vaccines
What VDH Does
VDH infection preventionists help develop ways to detect, prevent, and control the spread of disease in healthcare settings. Healthcare settings can include hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical offices, and even school clinics. They do this by:
- Looking for patterns of infection within a facility
- Observing facility IPC practices
- Educating healthcare teams
- Developing IPC policies and procedures
What You Can Do
- Practice the “Little Things,” healthy habits such as:
- Washing hands often
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Staying up to date on recommended vaccines
- Take steps to protect yourself in settings outside your home
- Learn the right questions to ask and things to do when visiting a healthcare facility or getting medical care