Infection control and prevention (IPC) is a global effort that relies heavily on conferences to disseminate information and advance research. IPC conferences take place worldwide throughout the year, addressing various issues related to microbiology, infectious disease, and infection control. One such recent conference, the 6th United Arab Emirates International Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (ICAMR), was held in March 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The conference was organized by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee in UAE and focused on updates regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The importance of addressing AMR cannot be overstated. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes AMR as a global health and development threat, with the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials as the primary drivers in developing drug-resistant pathogens. The emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms, leading to AMR, continue to threaten our ability to treat common infections. The rapid global spread of multi- and pan-resistant bacteria (also known as “superbugs”) causes infections that are not treatable with existing antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics.
As health care professionals, we should work collaboratively to achieve the vision of reducing and controlling AMR. Conferences such as the ICAMR provide IPC professionals with an exceptional opportunity to share and acquire knowledge and experience on a broad spectrum of topics related to microbiology, infectious disease, infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet and associate with experts in the field and innovative educators.
At the ICAMR, a workshop on Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology’s Certified in Infection Control (CIC) certification was conducted. The workshop highlighted the importance of CIC certification from a national and international perspective. Certified infection preventionists (IPs) are more likely to recommend implementing best practices in the hospitals where they work, especially as the lead IP. This finding supports the importance of having CIC IPs in healthcare facilities and promoting CIC certification. The CIC examination is the “standardized measure of the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of professionals in infection prevention and control.” Therefore, we encourage all IPs to be CIC certified because it will help them grow in their profession and show their employer that they are committed to being the best in infection prevention, implementing best practices in their organization, and ultimately saving patients’ lives.
