Sample Newsletter Copy
The theme of IIPW 2014 is antibiotic resistance
To expand on the multiyear education and awareness campaign: Infection Prevention and You,
the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has developed a
new infographic to help patients and families better understand antibiotic resistance. “The
ABC’s of Antibiotics” infographic is released in conjunction with International Infection
Prevention Week (IIPW), October 19-25. Download the free, two-sided poster to share with
patients and families.
Do you know the ABC’s of antibiotics?
In an effort to visually communicate about antibiotic resistance to the public, the Association
for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has created an infographic titled
“The ABC’s of Antibiotics.” Released in conjunction with International Infection Prevention
Week, October 19-25, this infographic illustrates when antibiotics work and when they don’t,
explains what can happen if antibiotics are used improperly, and instructs consumers on the
roles they play in preventing the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant organisms. The opposite
side of the infographic highlights a fact sheet on antibiotic resistance, which includes the top 5
questions consumers should ask their healthcare professionals about antibiotics. Consumers
and healthcare professionals alike can access this infographic in English and Spanish, as well as
other resources, on the Infection Prevention and You webpage. Learn more at
www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou.
International Infection Prevention Week:
“Antibiotic resistance—a problem we all share”
Did you know?
Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Using antibiotics the wrong way can lead
to antibiotic-resistant infections. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people get
serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to
treat those infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least
23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these antibiotic-resistant infections. This is
why healthcare providers are being more careful when prescribing antibiotics.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the
ability of antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
How can consumers help to prevent antibiotic resistance?
Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare provider instructs.
Only take antibiotics prescribed for you.
Do not save antibiotics for the next illness or share them with others.
Do not pressure your provider for antibiotics.
[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] partners with APIC to celebrate International
Infection Prevention Week (IIPW)
In recognition of the importance of infection prevention and the role consumers can play to
stay safe when they visit a healthcare facility, [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] has partnered with
APIC to promote International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 19-25.
To celebrate IIPW and this year’s theme of antibiotic resistance, APIC has expanded the
resources and activities for both patients and healthcare professionals found on the “Infection
Prevention and You” website (www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou). The campaign
features a new “ABC’s of Antibiotics” infographic illustrating antibiotic resistance and the top 5
questions consumers should ask their healthcare providers about antibiotics.
[NAME OF ORGANIZATION MEMBERS] are encouraged to visit the “Infection Prevention and
You” website, share the infographic, and “Like” the “Infection Prevention and You” Facebook
page (www.facebook.com/APICInfectionPreventionandYou).Include #infectionprevention and
#IIPW in tweets, and follow @APIC on Twitter to learn more.
As part of [NAME OF ORGANIZATION’S] participation, members will receive free access to the
IIPW webinar, which will focus on antibiotic resistance. Please visit the IIPW page for details
about the webinar.
Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, APIC has spearheaded the annual IIPW effort
to highlight the importance of infection prevention among healthcare professionals,
administrators, legislators, and consumers. It is now formally recognized in many areas around
the world including the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Southeast
Asia. As IIPW expands, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced
threat of healthcare-associated infections.