Aspirus Health Promotes Infection Prevention Week 2024: Moving the Needle by Breaking the Cycle
Infection Prevention Week is October 13-19
10/14/2024
Tim Holzem, Aspirus Infection Preventionist
Aspirus Health is
proud to support Infection
Prevention Week 2024, observed from October 13-19. This year’s theme,
“Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention,” focuses on advancing infection
control practices. Central to this effort is the concept of breaking the cycle
of infection, a crucial strategy in reducing the spread of diseases in health care
settings and the community.
Breaking the cycle
of infection involves disrupting the chain of events that allow infections to
spread. By improving hand hygiene, ensuring responsible antibiotic use, and
promoting timely vaccinations, the risk of infection can be significantly
reduced.
“Infection
prevention is about making small, impactful changes that add up,” said Tim
Holzem, Infection Prevention Coordinator at Aspirus. “Our work involves
identifying trends, like increases in MRSA, and working with
care teams to stop these infections before they become widespread. By breaking
the cycle, we’re able to move the needle and protect our patients and staff
from preventable infections.”
Holzem also
emphasized the importance of collaboration in infection prevention. “We’re
really partners behind the scenes,” he noted. “Our role is to work closely with
frontline health care workers, helping them understand and implement the best
practices to keep infections under control. It’s a team effort that’s essential
for patient safety.”
Hand hygiene remains
a cornerstone of infection prevention efforts. “Hand hygiene is the frontline
defense against the spread of infections,” Holzem explained.
As Infection
Prevention Week 2024 unfolds, Aspirus Health encourages everyone to contribute
to breaking the cycle of infection. Simple actions can lead to significant
improvements in public health, helping to ensure safer, healthier
communities.
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