Infection preventionists (IPs) are the backbone of patient safety. They turn guidance into action, raise the bar on daily practice and help teams respond quickly when conditions change. International Infection Prevention Week (October 19–25, 2025) is a chance to recognize that leadership and to say: your work keeps people safe.

 

This year’s theme, Stand UPPP—Unite, Protect, Prevent, Prevail, fits the moment. IPs unite teams across units, protect patients and caregivers, prevent avoidable harm, and help facilities prevail through the day-to-day realities of care. Vestis stands with infection preventionists—this week and every week—by providing simple, reliable support that makes prevention easier to practice at scale.

 

Why this work is essential

 

Infection preventionists develop protocols, educate staff, and monitor practices to stop infections before they spread. Their work is crucial: in the United States, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most common complications of hospital care and rank in the top 10 causes of death.¹

These preventable infections threaten patient safety, underscoring why IPs’ vigilance is important. Yet even with rigorous routines, 66% of hospital surfaces remain contaminated with pathogens after cleaning.² This stark fact shows how challenging infection control can be – and how vital the expertise of IPs is in closing those gaps.

 

How Vestis helps: simple tools that strengthen your program

 

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is keeping the environment clean. That’s why Vestis offers a smarter approach with its MicroVantage microfiber system, which provides microfiber mops, high dusters and wipes for a higher level of clean.

Unlike traditional cotton cleaning tools that might just push dirt around, microfiber is designed to “grab” and remove particles from surfaces, even reaching into microscopic pores to leave far fewer contaminants behind. The result is cleaner surfaces and reduced cross-contamination – directly boosting infection prevention efforts.

Microfiber cleaning also improves efficiency. A microfiber mop or cloth can cover more area with less cleaning solution because it holds up to six times its weight in liquid, helping staff clean more effectively with less strain. This means staff can clean up spills and apply disinfectants more effectively, with less strain.

To keep microfiber tools consistently effective, Vestis uses its proprietary MicroVantage 4-S laundering process. This system helps keep reusable wipes and mops in peak condition:

 

• Separate – Microfiber is washed apart from other textiles to protect performance.
• Sanitize – The wash process uses an EPA-registered sanitizer to reduce 99.9% of certain pathogens during the wash while maintaining fiber integrity.³
• Substitute – Worn items are routinely swapped so staff has effective tools.
• Service – Trained route representatives handle safe pickup and delivery on a consistent basis.

 

Thanks to this 4-S process, every microfiber delivered by Vestis is clean and reliable. Hospital staff can clean with confidence, knowing their cleaning fabrics won’t contribute to the spread of pathogens.

 

The case for sanitized scrubs

 

Surfaces aren’t the only places germs can linger. Uniforms and scrubs can carry bacteria—studies suggest about 60% of nurses’ and doctors’ uniforms may be contaminated. 4 Professional laundering is a key part of prevention.

Vestis uses a sanitizing wash process with an EPA-registered sanitizer that provides a 99.9% reduction of certain pathogens during the wash while maintaining textile performance. That helps lab coats, scrubs, and microfiber return clean and ready to use.

Through a Vestis rental scrub program, soiled garments are picked up, processed off-site, and returned on a reliable schedule. This kind of steady, behind-the-scenes support helps infection preventionists focus on what matters most—protecting patients and preventing cross-contamination.

 

Prevailing together against infection

 

IIPW is a time to recognize the significant effort behind infection prevention. Infection preventionists unite colleagues and champion best practices to protect patients, and Vestis is proud to stand with them by providing tools and services that turn prevention principles into practice.

With IPs leading the way and partners like Vestis backing them up, the healthcare community can truly unite, protect, prevent, and prevail against infection. This week and every week, we thank these infection prevention heroes for their dedication. Their commitment inspires us all to Stand UPPP against infection, and Vestis is honored to support their mission all year long.

 

References:

 

1 AHRQ Health Care-Associated Infections. [(accessed on 26 February 2020)]; Available online: https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/patient-safety-resources/resources/hais/index.html

 

2 William A. Rutala, Ph.D., MPH. “Disinfecting Strategies for Environmental Surfaces in Health Care: Importance of Product and Process.” Infection Control Today Digital Summit. May 20, 2015; P. Carling, American Journal of Infection Control 41 (2013) S20-S25

 

3 Vestis wash formulation meets EPA requirements for laundry sanitizing and provides a 99.9% reduction of the following organisms during the wash cycle: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Sanitized products are only provided to customers of Vestis who require and request their products be processed as containing bloodborne pathogens.

 

4 https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(11)00117-9/abstract