APIC Redesigns and Updates Education Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is redesigning its educational programs to better respond to the growing roles and responsibilities within the infection prevention and control profession. 

Over the next several years, APIC will roll out new and revised offerings under the brand EPI (Education for the Prevention of Infection). The EPI series will replace the ICE (Infection Control and Epidemiology) series. 

The EPI series will include a host of education programs spanning the practice continuum from novice infection prevention and control professional (ICP) to seasoned healthcare executive, said APIC Education Committee chair Rosie Fardo, RN, BSN, CIC.

APIC will launch the EPI series Jan. 22-26, 2006 in Arlington, Va. with the four-day EPI 101: The Fundamentals of Infection Surveillance, Prevention and Control.  EPI 101 replaces ICE I.  

The key difference between ICE I and EPI 101 is the inclusion of more practical information for the ICP and a more interactive approach, added Fardo. After completing EPI 101, participants will be able to successfully evaluate an existing program or implement a new one that contains all the necessary elements.

EPI 201, a new approach to ICE II, will be introduced later this year. Other courses and conferences are also being planned to offer the full range of educational opportunities desired by todays ICP.

APIC felt strongly that a name change was in order to better describe the purpose of the program and articulate the scope of APICs educational plans. We wanted a name that highlighted the growing emphasis on prevention in our profession, said Vickie Moore, BS, CLS, MA, CIC, a member of APICs Education Committee who came up with the EPI name. 

A total of four EPI 101 courses are planned for 2006. The other three are March 12-16, 2006 in Seattle; August 6-10, 2006 in Chicago; and Nov. 5-9, 2006 in Atlanta.  

Source: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)