During International Infection Prevention Week October 17-23 healthcare facilities recognize the importance of diligent infection control measures throughout their facilities. The fact is, hospitals face an urgent need to prevent and reduce hospital-associated infections, which affect more than two million patients annually in the U.S. Orange City Area Health System joins in this initiative and has a continuous, comprehensive program using evidence-based best practice infection prevention strategies. According to Val Droog, Infection Preventionist for the health system, last year (2009) was a year without an identified case of surgical site infection at Orange City Area Health System. “We take the opportunity to find improvements and maintain a learning environment that focuses on providing the best outcome for every patient every time,” says Droog.