National Infection Control Week
October 15-19, 2007
"Practice and Participate"
The third week in October is designated as National Infection
Control Week in Canada and the U.S. This year, CHICA Manitoba
Chapter with the support of the Manitoba Institute for Patient
Safety is launching a campaign to encourage all Manitobans to ‘Practice and Participate” in achieving safer health care. It is estimated that 8,000 Canadians die from health care associated infections each year. Over fifty percent of these infections are preventable! During National Infection Control Week and every week, we all play an important role in preventing infection.
The campaign advises Manitobans to practice and participate
by:
- Cleaning their hands frequently
- Asking their health care providers to clean their hands
- Covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing
- Keeping immunizations up to date
We, as Infection Prevention and Control Professionals, believe
that both personnel in health care facilities and the public
who access the health services can achieve safer healthcare by
following the few simple steps outlined above.
You can help to make National Infection Control Week more successful
by getting actively involved, displaying campaign material and
spreading the word. Click the following links to download the
campaign poster, and tent
card with base or a full-page
version.
The media release can also be downloaded using the provided link.
Clean Your Hands
Clean hands are the easiest and most effective way to prevent
the spread of germs that cause infections. Alcohol based hand
rub can be used to clean your hands when they are not visibly
dirty. It is also less drying to the hands than traditional hand
washing. Traditional (soap and water) washing is also an effective
way to prevent the spread of germs. Whichever method you choose
to clean your hands, clean them often. Clean hands can save lives!
Ask Your Healthcare Provider to Clean Their Hands
Have you asked your healthcare provider to clean their hands?
Many people feel too uncomfortable to ask, but it is important
to be pro-active and involved in your own health care.
Cover Your Mouth and Nose When Coughing or Sneezing
Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing is called
Respiratory Etiquette. This practice prevents the spread of respiratory
germs such as Influenza (the ‘Flu’) and colds. Cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue or your upper sleeve when you cough
or sneeze, not with your hands. Coughing and sneezing into your
hands can spread those germs to others. If you’ve used a tissue
to cover your cough or sneeze, you should clean your hands afterward.
If you are visiting a health care facility when you have a cough
or a cold, you may be asked to wear a surgical mask to protect
others from infection.
Keep Your Immunizations Up To Date
Many infectious diseases are vaccine preventable. Keeping your
immunizations up to date protects you from many of these infections.
In addition to getting an annual flu shot, speak with your health
care provider about other vaccines that can protect you.
CHICA Manitoba wishes you a safe and healthy Infection Control
Week!
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