Today, in honor of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), National Journal LIVE and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) are hosting "Spreading Success: Encouraging Best Practices in Infection Prevention." Keynote speaker, Don Wright, MD, MPH, deputy assistant secretary for Healthcare Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will focus on how government agencies are helping to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Timed to occur during the 25th anniversary of IIPW, the policy summit will be attended by more than 200 healthcare professionals, government officials, policy makers and patient advocates, who will explore the impact of healthcare reform efforts in boosting patient safety and quality improvement. It will also examine the unique role of the patient safety professionals known as infection preventionists and their role in implementing programs aimed at reducing or eliminating preventable HAIs.
"Collaboration among the many stakeholders in infection prevention is critical to advancing patient safety, and is why we organized todays forum," says Russell Olmsted, MPH, CIC, APIC 2011 president. "Our goal is the elimination of preventable healthcare-associated infections."
The keynote speaker of the event, Dr. Don Wright, leads the Office of Healthcare Quality within the HHS Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, which developed the National Action Plan to Prevent HAIs.
Maggie Fox, managing editor of the National Journal, will moderate a panel of experts who will examine whether public attention, innovative tracking and monitoring programs, and financial incentives, such as value-based purchasing, can fuel continued improvement in combating these kinds of deadly infections. Panelists include:
- Denise Cardo, MD, director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Linda Greene, RN, MPS, CIC, director of Infection Prevention, Rochester General Health System
- Manoj Jain, MD, MPH, medical director, Tennessees Quality Improvement Organization
- Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, FACP, FACMI, president, Clinical and Physician Services Group & chief medical officer, Hospital Corporation of America
- Jean Rexford, executive director, Connecticut Center for Patient Safety
A recording of this event will be available immediately following the summit at http://www.nationaljournal.com/events/event/65/
APICs 2011 IIPW efforts are made possible with support from the Signature Sponsor, 3M Health Care, in the form of an unrestricted educational grant..
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
US Withdrawal From UNESCO Signals a Dangerous Step Back for Global Science
July 22nd 2025In a decision heavy with consequence and light on foresight, the US has once again chosen to walk away from UNESCO, leaving behind not just a seat at the table, but a legacy of global scientific leadership that now lies in question.
Breaking the Cycle of Silence: Why Sharps Injuries Go Unreported and What Can Be Done
Published: July 24th 2025 | Updated: July 23rd 2025Despite decades of progress in health care safety, a quiet but dangerous culture still lingers: many health care workers remain afraid to report sharps injuries, fearing blame more than the wound itself.
Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management
July 22nd 2025In an era defined by digital transformation and post-pandemic urgency, telemedicine has evolved beyond virtual visits to become a vital infrastructure for delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and managing sterile supplies. By enabling real-time forecasting, remote quality control, and equitable distribution, telemedicine is revolutionizing how health care systems protect both patients and providers.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.