ICP Associates is pleased to announce  "Introduction to Infection Prevention," a one-day introductory course in infection prevention.

The target audience for this course is new practitioners in infection prevention, nurses considering employment in infection prevention, student nurses, and others with interest in infection prevention. The course is structured so as to give an overview of the major functions and roles fulfilled by an infection preventionist, and provide a stimulating learning environment through informative lectures, exercises and direct interaction with the presenters.

Topics covered in the courses:

• Infection Prevention Functions/Role - an overview of the 7 functions of an IP program
• Surveillance of Infections - Process, forms, rate calculations, and definitions of infections
• Employee Health - Hepatitis, TB, TSTs, employee illnessess, work restrictions, and immunizations
• Isolation Precautions, Resistant Organisms, and Hand Hygiene
• Resources for the IP - including web and print resources which will help to jump-start the new infection preventionist

OBJECTIVES:

Following completion of the course, participants should be able to:

• State 6 essential components of an effective infection prevention program.
• List two concepts related to change theory that can improve compliance.
• List two aspects of surveillance that are critical to a good system.
• Identify the two important questions to ask when assessing infections. 
• List three data sources that will facilitate surveillance.
• State two aspects of the OSHA requirements relating to Hepatitis B immunization.
• State the rationale for 2-step TST. 
• List three immunizations recommended for HCWs by ACIP.
• List two changes in isolation in the 2006 & 2007 CDC guidelines.
• List three resistant organisms of interest to healthcare facilities

CONTACT HOURS

This continuing education activity was approved by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Contact Hours: 6.2

REGISTRATION:

Please contact us to register for this course. Registration fees are as follows:

Early registration (date to be anounced): -------------$125.00

Late Registration (date to be announced): -----------$150.00

This course will be offered at varying dates and locations to be announced. Please check our events calendar for information on specific conferences being offered. When calling to register, please specify the conference dates and location.

NEW PRODUCTS FROM ICP ASSOCIATES

INFECTION PREVENTION MANUAL FOR AMBULATORY CARE
ICP Associates is pleased to announce the first edition of this manual, which was developed specifically for ambulatory care centers. The book contains over 300 pages of policies and procedures, checklists and forms, and other useful information. It comes with a CD-Rom for easy customization.

INFECTION PREVENTION MANUAL FOR HOSPITALS, 2010 Edition
ICP Associates is pleased to announce the 2010 edition of this manual, which was developed specifically for acute care facilities. Newly updated for all current recommendations and regulations, the book contains over 300 pages of policies and procedures, checklists and forms, and other useful information. It comes with a CD-Rom for easy customization.

APIC ANNOUNCES “HEROES OF INFECTION PREVENTION”

Washington, DC, February 22, 2010 – Building on its nearly 40 years of leadership and commitment to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) today announced 12 recipients of the 2010 “Heroes of Infection Prevention” Award. The recipients include individuals and groups who have worked tirelessly to prevent infections and improve patient safety.

The following individuals and groups are being recognized:

• Gail Bennett, RN, MSN, CIC – ICP Associates, Rome, Ga.
• Stephanie Brooks, RN, BSN, CIC – Mercy Health Partners, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Nancy Church, RN, MT, CIC -- Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Ore.
• Janet Johnson, BSN, RN, MSAS, CIC -- Avera Sacred Health Hospital, Yankton, S.D.
• Brian Koll, MD, FACP -- Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
• Kathleen Lucente, MT, RN, CIC -- Paoli Hospital, Paoli, Pa.
• Nan Maddox, RN, BS, CIC -- Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, Ga.
• Faisal Masud, MD, FCCP -- Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas
• Mary Buchanan, BSN, ARNP-BC, CIC and
• Ted Newton, RN, BS, BSN, MHA, CIC, CHSP -- Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Ga.
•  Northeastern Infection Control Educators (NICE) -- Princeton, N.J.
• Julie Spallino, CAN, CRCST, AGTS -- Kindred Hospital Las Vegas-Flamingo, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Wisconsin Division of Public Health Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Improvement Team -- Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response Madison, Wis.

"From eliminating central-line bloodstream infections in the neonatal intensive care unit, to organizing statewide HAI prevention initiatives, to improving employee influenza vaccination rates -- this year's Heroes demonstrate what improvements in patient safety can be accomplished when focused commitment and unrelenting determination coexist," said APIC’s 2010 President Cathryn Murphy, RN, PhD, CIC. "We are proud to honor our award recipients for their hard work, leadership and success in preventing infections and saving lives. They inspire us enormously.”

APIC established the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award in 2005 to recognize infection preventionists who have served their profession in an outstanding manner. The 2010 Heroes receive complimentary registration to the 2010 APIC Annual Conference in New Orleans and will be honored at an Awards luncheon on July 12. They also will be
featured throughout the year on the APIC website and in the association’s quarterly magazine, Prevention Strategist.

APIC’s mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The association’s more than 13,000 members direct infection prevention programs that save lives and improve the bottom line for hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy and credentialing. Visit APIC online at http://www.apic.org/. For consumer-related information, visit http://www.preventinfection.org/.