This week, October 14–20, is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), with health care professionals and advocates worldwide shining a light on how taking simple steps can help save lives through the prevention of infection. Under the tutelage of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) in the U.S., and the Community and Hospital Infection Control Association (CHICA) in Canada, the events and activities spread out over the course of the week are geared to raise awareness of the role that infection prevention plays to improve patient safety. Our friends at Unisource have signed on to be a Champion for IIPW. “Unisource supports APIC’s and CHICA’s goal to provide education to improve infection prevention practices in healthcare facilities throughout North America,” said Garrett Gerst, Senior Marketing Manager, Facility Supplies for Unisource Worldwide, in a company press release.

“We ask consumers to join with us. If you or a loved one is going into the hospital, remember: clean hands are essential to preventing infections. It is appropriate and acceptable to ask healthcare providers to clean their hands before touching you. Patients and visitors need to do the same. Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”