APIC calls for ‘Heroes of Infection Prevention’ nominations

January 12th, 2015

”A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell How many lives saved, families unshattered, tears that never fell? Preventing something by definition means it never occurs, but we know infection preventionists wake up every morning to do this very thing, rejoining the fight to protect patients and fellow health care workers from the endless encroachment of infectious disease. To recognize these efforts, by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is calling for nominations by Feb. 15 to honor this year’s Heroes of Infection Prevention. APIC will honor a dozen IPs who have improved the health and well-being of patients, healthcare workers, and the public.

Since 2005, when the Heroes of Infection Prevention program was introduced, APIC has recognized more than 60 members and groups for their exceptional work in the infection prevention field. Visit APIC’s new website for more information and nomination forms. In addition to recognizing the outstanding work of 12 infection preventionists, APIC will select a Heroes Implementation Research Scholar to identify the five most successful infection prevention programs of the last six years. The scholar will visit the selected facilities, interview staff, summarize findings, and share these success stories with the broader U.S. and international healthcare community. “Our goal is to improve patient outcomes by advocating for the adoption of best practices in infection prevention,” said Michelle Farber, RN, CIC, APIC 2012 president.

“This year’s initiative provides the opportunity to highlight outstanding work by infection preventionists who have been recognized for their dedication to patient safety so that best practices can be replicated in more healthcare settings.” The 2012-2013 Heroes program is supported by an educational grant from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company).