𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 (𝟭𝟵–𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 — a reminder that keeping infections away is a team effort. The 2025 theme, “Stand UPPP for Infection Prevention — Unite, Prevent, Protect, Prevail,” calls on everyone — healthcare teams, patients, families and communities — to play a part.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
- Hospital‑acquired infections remain a major global threat: in many places 7–15 in every 100 patients get a healthcare‑associated infection during a hospital stay.
- Proper infection prevention can prevent around 70% of infections through simple, cost‑effective practices.
- Preventing infections protects vulnerable people (children, elderly, immunocompromised) and helps healthcare systems work better.

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
- 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲: wash with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub frequently.
- 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: stay up to date with recommended vaccines.
- 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗣𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: masks, gowns and gloves when indicated.
- 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: speak up about safe practices.
- 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 & 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁: keep surfaces and medical equipment properly cleaned.
- 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲: catch it, bin it, kill it — cover coughs, dispose tissues, clean hands.
- 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: if you’re in hospital, ask staff about hand hygiene, device care and infection prevention steps.

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 & 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
- IIPW is observed the third week of October — in 2025 it runs 19–25 Oct.
- APIC leads annual campaigns and themes to educate professionals and the public.
- The week highlights the crucial role of infection preventionists who help cut hospital‑associated infections significantly.

Stand UPPP for Infection Prevention — Unite, Prevent, Protect, Prevail. Small habits save lives. What one infection‑prevention habit will you adopt today?

#SCABPharmacy #IIPW2025 #InfectionPrevention #HandHygiene #VaccinesWork #PatientSafety #HealthcareSafety #PPE #StopHAIs #CleanHandsSaveLives #ProtectEachOther #StandUPPP #InfectionControl