In response to the ever-changing U.S. regulatory landscape and determined to build upon the impressive impact of previous international central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention initiatives, in early 2010 The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) spearheaded an ambitious, multi-society campaign designed to promote and support the adoption of best practices established in its Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections Elimination Guide and revised U.S. CDC Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections, 2011. Campaign partners also include lead researchers and patient safety experts from Johns Hopkins Hospital. Pivotal to this campaign are the infection preventionist's (IP) beliefs that CLABSIs are preventable, that the IP along with all healthcare workers has a primary role in prevention and finally, that CLABSI prevention is and must be sustainable. Through various live and online events and avenues, APIC invited, and continues to welcome IPs who accept the campaign's "I Believe" pledge. Provisions from an unrestricted educational grant from a medical device manufacturer enabled APIC, Association for Vascular Access (AVA) and the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) to focus on initiatives around four discrete I Believe in Zero CLABSIs" campaign components, including research, an expert round -table event, and ongoing education and promotion. The major portal for the campaign is a website, www.apic.org/clabsi which acts as a central repository for CLABSI prevention education, resources and news. In addition, the website invites participation from new and existing believers.
This presentation will further describe the strategic alignment between the "I Believe" campaign and APIC's mission, and its vision, business and strategic goals. A model for ethical, respectful and collaborative partnerships will be discussed, and a report will be provided on the progress of the "I Believe in Zero CLABSI"campaign. Upon conclusion of this presentation it is expected that APSIC attendees, like their colleagues from more than a 100 participating countries, will believe not only in the preventability of CLABSI but in the power of collaboration and the ability of professional associations and individuals to champion improved patient outcomes.