WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) together with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announced today the launch of the National Infection Prevention Forum (Forum), an online platform for all infection preventionists working in long term care.
The Forum aims to help facilitate rapid dissemination of the latest updates regarding infectious diseases. Additionally, the Forum provides resources from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and other federal agencies to help protect residents and staff.
“We are excited to be partnering with APIC on this important effort,” said Dr. David Gifford, Chief Medical Officer at AHCA/NCAL. “One of the many takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic was the need for a designated place to obtain key information from public health officials to help protect the lives of the residents and staff in long term care settings. The Forum addresses this need and better prepares us for the next public health threat.”
“Infection preventionists are the first line of defense in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses,” said APIC CEO Devin Jopp, EdD, MS. “The new online Forum will help connect infection preventionists in long term care with evidence-based resources so they can better protect residents and staff from infectious disease.”
Made possible through a Project Firstline grant from the CDC, the Forum is a collaborative space for infection preventionists to share best practices and participate in expert-led facilitated discussions. The Forum is housed on AHCA/NCAL Connect, an online community platform which allows the creation of discussion threads among groups and the posting of resources and tools in an organized library.
Infection preventionists interested in joining can do so for free. Once AHCA/NCAL validates credentials, full access to the Forum will be granted.
Learn more and register to join the National Infection Prevention Forum.
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ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org.
ABOUT APIC
Founded in 1972, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading association for infection preventionists and epidemiologists. With more than 15,000 members, APIC advances the science and practice of infection prevention and control. APIC carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and patient safety; education, credentialing, and certification; and fostering development of the infection prevention and control workforce of the future. Together with our members and partners, we are working toward a safer world through the prevention of infection. Learn more at apic.org.