Recognizing Infection Prevention Week: 5 Tips for Facilities

The discipline of infection control has been rapidly evolving since the early 1950s. From the creation of hand hygiene guidelines to the development of life-saving vaccines, the world has made significant strides in reducing the spread of harmful germs. International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) was established to celebrate these collective efforts and reinforce the importance of continuous improvement among healthcare stakeholders.

As a facility leader, engaging your workforce in this global event is one way to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to infection prevention. In this article, we’ll outline five ways that you can make a meaningful impact during this week-long observance.

What Is IIPW?

IIPW is a week-long event dedicated to highlighting the importance of preventing infections within healthcare settings. It serves as an opportunity for all types of healthcare workers, advocates, and policymakers to come together and discuss best practices in infection control.

Each year, the week is celebrated around a different “theme” assigned by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Everyone is encouraged to learn more about the dedicated theme and participate in activities to promote it. Here are examples of themes from previous years:

• Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention (2024)
• Celebrating the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention (2023)
• The Future is Infection Prevention: 50 Years of Infection Prevention (2022)

When Is IIPW?

IIPW is celebrated annually throughout the third week of October. In 1986, it was first established as a national observance by president Ronald Reagan. However, it has since become recognized and observed by countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

5 Infection Prevention Week Ideas for Facilities

While APIC provides suggestions on how to promote the annual theme of IIPW, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to celebrating. Whether you’re looking for small or big ideas for infection prevention week, here are five meaningful ways your facility can get more involved.

1. Run an Educational Campaign on Infection Control Practices

Raising awareness is a cornerstone of IIPW. While all healthcare providers are trained on infection control, it’s always helpful to reinforce the fundamentals. Align your campaign with the annual theme of IIPW and utilize multiple communication channels to teach others about the importance of infection control.

Campaign ideas:

• Set up hand-washing demo stations and posters throughout the facility to remind staff about proper hand hygiene.
• Host a lunch and learn session and invite expert infection preventionists to conduct an educational Q&A.
• Post infographics on hand washing and vaccinations on social media to educate the public on best infection prevention practices.

2. Conduct Team-Building Infection Prevention Week Activities

Infection prevention is a collaborative effort, and fostering multidisciplinary teamwork is a great way to embody what the week is about. Consider hosting a team-building workshop or activity to engage staff in infection prevention education.

Activity ideas:

• Host an infection control scavenger hunt.
• Create a Jeopardy-style trivia game on infection prevention practices.
• Send out a daily team word puzzle that includes concepts from the annual lIIPW theme.

3. Partner With Community Organizations to Engage the Public

Infection prevention goes beyond healthcare settings. In addition to healthcare staff, the public plays an important role in helping prevent the spread of communicable illnesses. If you’re looking for ways to raise awareness throughout the community, you can partner with local organizations to conduct patient outreach activities.

Community outreach ideas:

• Visit local schools to teach children about hand washing.
• Partner with your local health department to offer free flu vaccines.
• Organize a community infection control fair with other nearby facilities.

4. Celebrate Your Team’s Success in Preventing Infections

As you encourage your staff to participate in week-long learning, don’t forget to celebrate your successes. Infection prevention requires daily effort, and it can be motivating to look back on how your team has improved their practices since last year.

Celebration ideas:

• Share infection prevention performance metrics in daily newsletters.
• Create a recognition wall where staff can share and post team achievements.
• Highlight staff efforts in improving infection prevention practices during team huddles.

5. Show Appreciation for Your Infection Preventionists

While infection control is a team effort, your infection preventionists play a particularly important role in spearheading new initiatives and guiding your staff on the latest evidence-based practices. Take a moment to say a genuine thank you to the staff who have dedicated their careers to infection prevention.

Appreciation gift ideas:

• Write personalized thank you cards signed by leadership and other team members.
• Distribute self-care gift baskets with items like tea, coffee, face masks, or candles.
• Decorate staff workstations with banners, balloons, and sweet treats.

Continue the Work Beyond Infection Prevention Week

Infection prevention is one of many critical aspects of care delivery that requires ongoing attention and effort. Looking for long-term ways to improve your facility’s practices? Stay in the know and get the latest healthcare news and insights from IntelyCare’s team of experts.