WRNMMC, Bethesda, Md.  –   As International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) drew to a close on October 21, 2023, we continue to celebrate the unsung heroes who play a pivotal role in safeguarding our health. Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, IIPW serves as a reminder of the importance of infection prevention in saving lives and healthcare dollars.

In the heart of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), a dedicated team of Infection Preventionists (IPs) led by Karen Cromwell, Chief of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at WRNMMC, stand as guardians of health. Their tireless efforts ensure a clean and safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

The IPs consist of three nurse consultants and one high-level disinfection and sterilization specialist.

"It's been tremendously rewarding to effectively lead a team of professional nurse consultants in Infection Prevention and Control,” said Cromwell. “We work cohesively as a team to develop the best strategies and interventions that will keep our patients, visitors, and staff safe and healthy."

The daily routine of an IP is a whirlwind of responsibility. Addressing inquiries from providers and nurses about infection prevention and isolation requirements, diving into electronic health records to identify healthcare and community-acquired infections or Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDROs), and meticulously documenting findings in IPC Consult Notes. These dedicated professionals enter data into their IPC database and the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) site to track and trend incidence and infection rates.

An effective IPC program is vital for the hospital's Joint Commission Accreditation and touches every corner of the medical center, from inpatient and outpatient areas to administrative departments.

The past two years, particularly during the COVID-19 global pandemic, presented unique challenges. Cromwell and her team remember the extraordinary effort it took to prevent COVID-19 transmission and the illnesses it could have caused. Their unwavering dedication to our community’s safety of such, in addition to surges in infections associated with healthcare and communicable illnesses like the flu and measles, is a testament to their crucial role in healthcare.

With a 2023 theme of “Celebrating the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention”, the IPC team took advantage of IIPW to highlight getting back to the basics of infection prevention for everyone. Essential principles include the following:

Hand Hygiene: Emphasizing the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of infections.

• Is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.
• Visibly dirty hands require washing with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Alcohol-based hand rub kills germs on hands. Soap and water wash them away.
• It is important to clean your hands before touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin to prevent infections.

Cleaning and Disinfection: Stressing the significance of cleaning surfaces before disinfection.

• Cleaning visible dirt and debris off surfaces is an essential first step to disinfection and sterilization.
• Mixing chemicals can be dangerous. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using cleaners or disinfectants.
• Materials matter. Refer to the device manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning/disinfection to ensure it can be done properly for your setting.

Vaccination: Highlighting the role of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases and the need for adhering to recommended vaccination schedules.

• Vaccines protect the person who receives them and those around them by being highly effective and safe methods of preventing communicable (infectious) diseases.
• It is still possible to get sick from an infection after receiving the vaccine for it, but the severity of the illness will be significantly less than if not vaccinated, decreasing the likelihood of hospitalization and death from the illness.
• Life-protecting vaccinations are recommended on a specific schedule throughout one’s lifetime.
• It's important to get vaccinated this fall/winter season to prevent you from getting sick:
  • COVID-19 vaccine was updated with the current circulating variant for individuals 5 years and older, one dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine is recommended for those who do not have contraindications (individuals in certain risk groups additional does may be needed with their health care provider guidance).
  • Flu vaccine is recommended annually for all individuals at least 6 months of age who do not have contraindications.
  • RSV vaccine is recommended for individuals 60 or older who do not have contraindications.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Explaining the use of masks, gowns, gloves, and other protective gear in safeguarding against communicable diseases.

Respiratory Etiquette: Encouraging the practice of covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and disposing of used tissues properly.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of serious respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
• Germs can be easily spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Touching your face with unwashed hands after touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

As we bid adieu to IIPW, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our IPC team for their unwavering dedication to our safety. Their commitment to the fundamentals of infection prevention remains an inspiration for us all. In their silent, relentless efforts, they prove that heroes don't always wear capes but can be found in the heart of healthcare, protecting our well-being.