Infection Control Experts At Briefing In D.C. For International Infection Prevention Week

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: MRSA / Drug Resistance;  Conferences;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 18 Oct 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Highlights include a roundtable discussion about health-care associated infection-prevention success stories, specifically in the areas of central line-associated blood stream infections, Clostridium difficile, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and MRSA in patients coming from long-term care facilities.

WHAT: The Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) will commemorate the 22nd anniversary of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) by gathering an elite group of infection preventionists to discuss a variety of collaborative programs proven to reduce the incidence of infections. Roundtable topics include best-practices for management of MRSA patients from long-term care facilities, targeting Clostridium difficile, and reducing the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and central line-associated blood stream infections.

The theme of this year's program is "Infection Prevention Is Everyone's Business." Infection-control leaders will discuss strategies, challenges and approaches that brought about tangible improvements in their respective institutions and significantly reduced the incidence of health-care associated infections.

WHY: IIPW honors the work of infection preventionists worldwide to combat infections and multi-drug resistant organisms that result in 90,000 deaths annually. APIC urges every state to recognize the weeklong ceremony, which runs from October 19-25, and make infection prevention a top priority. To date, 24 states have proclaimed International Infection Prevention week.

WHO: Speakers include:

• Janet Frain, RN, CIC, CPHQ, CPHRM, APIC 2008 President
  
  
• Denise Cardo, MD, Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
  
• Brian Koll, MD, FACP, Chief, Infection Control, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
  
  
• Barbara Smith, RN, BSN, MPA, CIC, Nurse Epidemiologist, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY
  
  
• Coretha Weaver, RN, CIC, Infection Control Coordinator, Erlanger Health System, Chattanooga, TN
  
  
• Sherry Hillis, MT (ASCP), MPH, CIC, Infection Control Coordinator, Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, TN
  
  
• Marion Kainer, MD, MPH, FRACP, Medical Epidemiologist / Infectious Diseases Physician Director, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN

WHEN: Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 10-11 a.m., ET

WHERE: National Press Club, Zenger Room, 529 14th St. NW, Washington, DC

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Erin Libit
Manning Selvage & Lee