Marcy l’Etoile (France) - May 30, 2007. bioMérieux organizes the First World Forum on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI). This Forum will bring together around fifty international experts at the Mérieux Foundation Conference Center (Les Pensières, Veyrier-du-Lac, France) from June 4th to 5th 2007.
Healthcare-associated infections are a critical public health issue which affect at least 7 million people per year, including 2 million in the United States and 5 million in Europe. Within the United States, 80,000 people will die as a result of HAI, and 50,000 in Europe. In addition to these alarming numbers, HAI are responsible for longer hospital stays and rising healthcare costs, generating nearly $6 billion in extra expenses each year. Experts consider that up to 30 % of HAI are preventable.
« This first World HAI Forum is intended to be a unique opportunity to meet and exchange on the subject, and will lead to the emergence of new ideas for the implementation of actions to fight this major healthcare concern » states Alain Mérieux, President of bioMérieux.
« The microbiology laboratory plays a key role in the fight against HAI and microbial resistance (prevention programs, epidemiological surveillance, outbreak detection, etc.). Partnering microbiologists for over four decades, bioMérieux will continue to expand its offer in this field, developing innovative solutions which contribute to the daily fight against this public health challenge » adds Thierry Bernard, Corporate Vice President Commercial Operations at bioMérieux.
The subjects of discussion at this Forum will include reviews of the current situation, exchanges on the most recent research findings, and programs to reduce morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare costs.
This high-level scientific meeting will become a regular event organized every 2 years.
A Press Session, in the presence of Professors Vincent Jarlier, Herman Goossens, Waleria Hryniewicz and Thierry Bernard will be held on Monday June 4th at 18.00 at the Mérieux Foundation, ”Les Pensières”, in the Simone Mérieux meeting room.
Update: read our report from the Forum here =>
About bioMerieux
Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health
A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 40 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 35 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2006, revenues reached €1.037 billion with 83% of sales outside of France.
bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Our products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cardiovascular emergencies and cancer screening and monitoring. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
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Other information can be found at http://www.biomerieux.com/.