The third week in October is designated as International
Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) around the world. Infection Prevention and Control programs
have been widely recognized as a corner stone to preventing and controlling the
spread of infections both within the community and within healthcare
facilities. IIPW seeks to galvanize an
infection prevention movement at the grassroots level because infection
prevention is everyone’s business!
Imagine a healthcare setting, a doctor’s office, a school or daycare
where everyone performs appropriate hand hygiene before and after providing
patient care or after using the loo! Imagine a community where every individual uses proper respiratory
etiquette by coughing and sneezing into their elbow or staying home when sick
so as not to infect coworkers. The
impact on a global level would be staggering!
While IIPW is often focused towards healthcare settings,
there is nothing to stop those of us who work in non-healthcare areas to
celebrate IIPW. There are numerous fun
and educational games or activities that can be tailored to any facility. A handwashing competition using Glo-Germ (UV
reflective goo), regardless of where you work is always entertaining! We did this a few years ago and the lengths
people took to be the best hand washer was pretty amusing. With the increased usage of ATP meters,
activities such as “who has the dirtiest cell phone or keyboard” can also open
one’s eyes as to the need for cleaning and disinfection of the surfaces we
touch and use frequently throughout the day.
So – are you ready to take the Infection Prevention
Challenge? Test your Infection
Prevention knowledge with the following questions.
1. Environmental cleaning can play an important role in
containing respiratory outbreaks because these viruses may remain infectious on
surfaces for _________ hours?
2. What viral pathogen, often isolated from enteric
outbreak specimens, has caused significant human disease in various settings such
as cruise ships, hospitals and schools? (Also, known as “winter vomiting
disease”)
3. Hands should be washed with soap and water when they
feel or look dirty, as well as:
a. Before and after personal functions (e.g. toilet use,
coughing, sneezing etc)
b. Before and after preparing, serving or placing food in
your mouth
c. After touching pets, participating in outdoor
activities or handling dirty items (garbage, money etc)
d. All of the above
4. Transmission of pathogens by touching fomites or
environmental surfaces is called:
a. Airborne Transmission
b. Contact Transmission
c. Droplet Transmission
d. None of the above
5. The contact time listed on a Health Canada or EPA registered
disinfectant’s label indicates the length of time the surface or device must
stay wet in order to ensure disinfection has been achieved.
a. True
b. False
Post your answers on the Blog and we’ll let you know how
well you did!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
