National Infection Control Week, October 18-22, 2010, is a chance to remind Islanders of the importance of infection prevention and control. The theme of this year’s week is “Infection Control – It’s Simple!”
“Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer and covering your cough are easy, yet effective, ways to prevent the risk of infection,” said Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr. Lamont Sweet. “In flu season, it is also very important for Islanders to get their flu shot.”
National Infection Control Week began in 1988 to highlight infection control efforts in Canadian hospitals, long-term care facilities and in the community.
Infection prevention and control programs are recognized to be both clinically effective and cost-effective in preventing and controlling the spread of infection in health-care settings. Prince Edward Island has nine infection prevention and control professionals in provincial long-term care facilities and community and provincial hospitals across the Island.
“Infection prevention and control practitioners on Prince Edward Island work very hard to prevent health-care associated infections,” said infection prevention and control strategy coordinator, Stacey Burns. “However, infection prevention is everyone's responsibility.”
For more information on infection prevention and control, visit www.gov.pe.ca/health.