OSAP Launches Contest Based on Contagion Movie

You shake a hand, pass a credit card or touch a door handle. In an instant, a lethal virus can be transmitted. That is the premise of Contagion, the recent movie about a global pandemic. The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is marking the movie release by launching a contest to get people thinking about infection
prevention. In answer to Contagion’s tag line, “Nothing spreads like fear,” OSAP responds: “Nothing protects like good infection prevention and control procedures.”

To participate in the Contagion contest, entrants must answer the question “What three actions would you (or your office) take immediately if you learned a pandemic was imminent?” The first 100 entrants will receive a free “Wash Your Hands” luggage grip from OSAP. One lucky entrant will be chosen to receive a free registration for the three- day 2012 OSAP Symposium “Connecting to Drive Compliance” in Atlanta along with a VIP tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

See the new Contagion page on the OSAP website to participate in an infection  prevention IQ test to see how much you know about influenza and its spread. The site also offers free online educational toolkits, links to maps showing current outbreaks, pandemic influenza resources and additional movie tie-in materials such as posters, activities and the movie trailer. Go to www.osap.org and click on the Contagion icon to access the materials or to enter the contest. Contagion contest entries must be received by October 15, 2011. Be prepared for when your patients ask how your office protects them against such an occurrence.

“The new Warner Brothers movie serves up the perfect ‘teachable moment,’” says Therese Long, OSAP’s Executive Director. “Let’s use the power of the big screen to start a conversation about infection prevention. Now is the time to dust off our knowledge and prevention strategies because as CDC says, ‘Not only could this happen, CDC scientists are working 24/7 to find out if it’s happening right now.’”

For the latest infection control information, guidelines and resources visit www.OSAP.org.

About OSAP

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention is the world’s leading membership association exclusively dedicated to preventing disease transmission and ensuring the safe delivery of oral healthcare for all. As a non-profit organization, OSAP helps dental practitioners close the gap between policy and practice. Its members include dental and other healthcare professionals, consultants, researchers and non-governmental organizations, manufacturing and distribution companies, policy makers and academia.

About Post Author

Mike Smurr

Mike Smurr is the <a href="https://www.pattersondental.com/">Patterson Dental</a> Director of Marketing, Merchandise. Mike began his career with Patterson in 2000, as Milwaukee Branch manager, and held that position until December 2008. During this time, the branch earned Branch of the Year honors twice (fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2003), as well as the Chuck Lottes Award in fiscal 2004 for largest dollar increase in net income over prior year. Mike began his dental career in 1982 as a territory manager for Columbus Dental, serving northern Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1986, he became a marketing manager with Columbus Dental, and was instrumental in transitioning product lines when the company was purchased by Bayer Dental (now Heraeus). From 1989-1990 Mike worked in Germany with the International Marketing team of Bayer Dental. Upon returning to the U.S., he held positions of increasing responsibility, from key account manager to national sales manager. In 1998, Mike became the dental marketing director for Banta Healthcare Products (now TIDI Products), where he advanced to vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for the dental, medical and foodservice business. In his current role as Director of Marketing, Merchandise, Mike is responsible for the marketing interactions between Patterson Dental and the over 800 manufacturers with whom Patterson works. This includes marketing communications, product submissions, promotional and introductory product campaigns and private label business.