Thousands of Infection Prevention Experts to Gather in Baltimore This June

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nations top experts in the field of infection prevention and control will be convening in Baltimore for the 32nd Annual Educational Conference & International Meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), June 19-23, 2005.

The conference will provide a forum for dissemination and discussion of cutting-edge research and information relating to the field of infection prevention. It will include instructional tracks that serve particular specialty areas as well as important issues facing the entire profession. Tracks include: Advanced Practice, Alternative Settings and Special Populations, Emergency Preparedness, Disinfection and Sterilization, Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety, Regulatory Requirements, Preparing the New Practitioner, and Technology. National and international attendees will include seasoned professionals as well as those new to the field.

The education and clinical practice sessions draw thousands to our conference each year. However, equally valuable are the networking opportunities and collaborative endeavors that take place at this gathering. Its the most exciting time of the year for infection prevention and control professionals, said APIC president Sue Sebazco,

RN, CIC.

This years curriculum features some new and exciting components, such as the keynote address by Michael Osterholm, PhD, who will present Avian Flu and Emerging Infections: Preparing for the Next Pandemic.  There also will be a symposium on the latest developments on mandatory reporting of healthcare-associated infections, a follow up to the APIC-sponsored conference in Atlanta earlier this year, explained 2005 program chair Karen Anderson.  This years Latebreaker Sessions ­- always a popular offering, will focus on two topics:  the impact of the disastrous tsunami on the residents of Southeast Asia and their healthcare system, and the role of advancing technologies in conducting surveillance for infectious disease.  We urge interested individuals to join us for this exciting meeting. We guarantee you will return home more informed, rejuvenated, and better prepared to tackle all the challenges facing the profession today, Anderson continued.

The meeting will include two days of vendor exhibits for attendees to learn about new products relevant to infection prevention in both patients and healthcare workers. Interested persons should visit www.apic.org for information and registration,

or call (508) 668-7642.

 Source: APIC