Pathogen Pulse: Planning for International Infection Prevention Week 2025

Pathogen Pulse With Isis Lamphier, MPH, MHA, CIC, AL-CIP

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), taking place October 19 to 25, is just around the corner, and it’s a powerful opportunity to shine a light on the critical work of infection prevention professionals around the world. This week serves as a reminder of the importance of stopping the spread of infections and recognizing the individuals who make it happen every day. If you haven’t started planning yet, now is the perfect time to jump in and make a meaningful impact at your facility.

Whether you’re introducing infection prevention concepts or reigniting enthusiasm among your team, IIPW is a chance to engage staff, educate through creativity, and build a culture of safety. One of my favorite ways to celebrate is through positive rounding. As infection preventionists (IPs), we often round on units to observe hand hygiene, assess supply storage, and ensure compliance; however, during IIPW, we can turn these rounds into celebrations.

I love creating a traveling cart with our infection prevention department, filled with treats and recognition cards, to visit units and clinics and thank staff for their role in infection prevention. Nurses, technicians, transporters, dietitians, social workers—everyone plays a part. Adding messages like “Happy IP Week!” or “Thank You for Being a Hand Hygiene Champion!” helps reinforce that infection prevention is truly a team effort.

Another fun and engaging idea is to set up an infection prevention escape room. This immersive experience challenges staff to identify and correct infection control breaches to “escape.” You can design a mock hazardous room filled with expired supplies, blood and body fluid spills, damaged equipment, and Foley bags touching the floor—things that give IPs the heebie-jeebies! Staff work together to solve clues and correct issues, reinforcing best practices in a memorable and interactive way.

One simple yet effective idea is to create themed puzzles, such as word searches and crosswords, that incorporate infection prevention terminology and concepts. These can be distributed in break rooms, emailed out, or even turned into friendly competitions with small prizes. Another interactive option is hosting a game of Jeopardy or trivia, either in person or virtually, where staff can test their knowledge in a fun, fast-paced format.

Setting up a dedicated infection prevention table in a high-traffic area of your facility is another great way to draw attention. Stock it with candy, flyers, educational materials, and hands-on activities, such as Glo-Germ demonstrations or coloring sheets. These visual and tactile experiences help reinforce key messages in a way that’s approachable and engaging.

For something more playful, consider hiding printed “bugs” or giant microbe plushies around your facility, representing bacteria and viruses, and challenge staff to find them in a creative game of hide-and-seek. This not only adds a layer of fun but also encourages staff to think about where pathogens might hide in real-life scenarios.

Competitions are also a great way to build excitement. Host a PPE race to see who can don personal protective equipment the fastest and most correctly. This is a great opportunity to reinforce proper technique while having fun.

You can also organize webinars or Q&A sessions with your Infection Prevention team, giving staff a chance to ask questions, learn new tips, and connect with IPs in a more informal setting.

Another hands-on idea is to use fluorescent markers to tag equipment or surfaces, then challenge staff, such as Environmental Services teams, to clean them thoroughly. Recognize champions with small prizes. This visual feedback is powerful and reinforces the importance of thorough cleaning practices.

International Infection Prevention Week is more than a celebration; it’s a chance to build awareness, foster collaboration, and inspire passion for infection prevention. Let’s make this year’s observance one to remember by engaging our teams, recognizing their contributions, and promoting a culture of safety that lasts far beyond the week itself.