CBIC Highlights Certified Infection Prevention and Control Professionals Day

As part of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 20-26, 2013, the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC), will be honoring individuals certified in infection prevention and control with Certified Infection Preventionist (IP)/Infection Prevention and Control Professional (ICP) Day on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. The CIC® credential, administered by CBIC, identifies healthcare professionals who have shown a mastery of knowledge in infection prevention and control.

Those who have earned their CIC® certification are responsible for developing and implementing infection prevention and control measures, educating healthcare workers and the public on infection prevention, analyzing infection data to assess effectiveness of actions, and pursuing the condition of zero infections in all healthcare settings.

CIC® certification demonstrates the ability to apply the knowledge required to be a competent infection prevention and control professional, says CBIC president Craig Gilliam, BSMT, CIC. CBIC firmly supports the premise of infection prevention week that everyone plays a role in infection prevention and that collaboration among stakeholders is imperative to reduce infections.

International Infection Prevention Week was established in 1986 to promote the work of infection prevention and control professionals and educate the public on the importance of preventing infection. IIPW is sponsored by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC) and supported by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, (SHEA), and many other association partners.

IIPW is an important time to focus on the need for certified infection preventionists, says APIC president Patti Grant, RN, BSN, MS, CIC. IIPW is the perfect time to stress the importance of board certification as the standardized demonstration of competency that IPs need to help us reach our goal of reducing infections worldwide.

The CIC® credential is supported by numerous infection control organizations, including APIC, CHICA-Canada and IFIC. CHICA-Canada President Bruce Gamage, RN, BSN, CIC, said This credential is recognized internationally as a symbol of excellence in the practice of infection prevention and control.

Source: Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.