Openhouse celebrated International Infection Prevention and Control Week (IIPW)

Openhouse has teamed up with organisations across the world this week in observing International Infection Prevention and Control Week (IIPW). The week ran from 17th-21st October and promoted the theme ‘Prevention – not Infection!’ Openhouse, who are market leaders in the field of supplying vital products such as medical bags to the healthcare and emergency services sectors, places infection control at the heart of everything it does.

We protect your kit bags from harmful bacteria using our trailblazing micrAgard fabrics. The creation of micrAgard came about in response to paramedics’ concerns that their medical bags are exposed to harmful bacteria. As a result of this, Openhouse has made infection control its top priority when creating bespoke solutions and designs across the textile manufacturing industry. This year’s global IIPW theme was ‘The Future is Infection Prevention: 50 years of infection prevention’.

What is IIPW and who’s involved?  

IIPW was established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. It focuses attention on the importance of infection prevention and saving lives. Over the years this week of recognition has vastly expanded across the globe to include the United Kingdom, Australia – where Openhouse is also based – the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As the influence of IIPW widens, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced threat of healthcare-associated infections.

In recent years the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated to the world what we have always known – infection preventionists play a crucial role in protecting us from surges in infections across the population. IIPW aims to highlight the importance of the infection prevention profession and is organised by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Infection protection is more important than ever in the battle against a global pandemic and to keep the world safe.

APIC is the leading professional association for infection preventionists with more than 15,000 members. The association’s members develop and direct infection prevention and control programmes that save lives and improve the bottom line for healthcare facilities. Their mission is to advance the science and practice of infection prevention and control to create a safer world.

How our micrAgard range is closely linked to infection control

Openhouse uses micrAgard fabrics in its products which are at the forefront of infection control. We came up with the idea for micrAgard at the Ambex conference when paramedics visiting our stand spoke about infection control being one of their main concerns. They highlighted the many different situations in which the average paramedic’s bag would be exposed to harmful bacteria.

Following the conference, Openhouse began to consult material chemists and experts in microbiology both in the UK and overseas. The great challenge was to ensure that it would also be flame retardant to aircraft standards, to ensure it would be suitable for as many industries as possible. The final result which we use today is a physical manifestation of our desire to always push the boundaries on innovation and design.

What our Marketing and Sales Director, Samantha Proctor, has to say on infection control

“Using micrAgard products not only offers protection but also helps to prevent the spread of disease. Bacteria can’t live on the surface of this ground-breaking material, and therefore we are helping to prevent the spread of illness and infection. As a market leader ourselves in preventing cross-contamination and infection control we are fully supportive of what IIPW sets out to achieve year upon year.”