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American Journal of Infection Control 41 (2013) 853

Contents lists avai

American Journal of Infection Control

journal homepage: www.aj ic journal .org

American Journal of Infection Control

Message from APIC

It’s flu season again!

With flu season kicking into high gear, it is important forinfection preventionists (IPs) to engage patients and their familiesin the fight against influenzadnot only health care personnel. IPsknow that the influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent the virus,along with good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. This year’sInternational Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 20-26,puts a special emphasis on public awareness of infection preven-tion. Do your part to help ensure that patients and their familiesknow how to protect themselves from infection, including the flu.

Visit www.apic.org/patientsafety for helpful consumer infectionprevention communication resources to spread knowledgednot

From the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology,Inc, Washington, DC.

0196-6553/$36.00 - � 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the Association for Phttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2013.07.002

infection. APIC is providing four simple talking points for IPs to usein their communication with consumers to engage them in infec-tion prevention this flu season:

1. Get a flu vaccine each year. Everyone 6 months of age andolder should get a flu vaccine every year. A flu vaccine is neededeach year because flu viruses are constantly changing.

2. Clean yourhands and cover your cough.Cough and sneeze intoyour elbow, or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throwthe tissue into the trash. Wash your hands with soap and warmwater after using the bathroom; after sneezing, blowing yournose, or coughing; before food preparation and eating; whenvisiting someone who is sick; or whenever your hands are dirty.

3. Ask your health care providers to clean their hands. If you donot see your health care provider, use the alcohol-based handrub or wash up at the sink, ask them to do it in front of you.Health care providers want to do everything they can to keepyou safe, so they welcome your questions about hand hygiene.

4. Speak up if you have any questions about your care. Patientswho play an active role in their care while they are in a hospitalor other health care facility may have better experiences thanthose who don’t. Please speak up. Do not feel shy about askingfor more information about your care.

Visit APIC’s Infection Prevention and You consumer outreachWebpage (www.apic.org/patientsafety) to access a wealth of educa-tional materials (eg, posters, flyers, brochures) for your communi-cation with patients. Print the materials and hang them around thehealth care facility, use the materials as training resources, or e-mail them out to the entire health care staff.

Spread knowledge, not infection this flu season. While IIPW isjust seven days of recognition, thanks for your commitment toinfection prevention 365 days a year.

rofessionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.