Outbreak Escape Room

An ID Escape Room

You don’t need to be a celebrity to attend the most thrilling premiere yet: It’s not on the silver screen, it’s at IDWeek! Step behind the scenes where movie magic meets infectious diseases in Out-BREAK!: An Infectious Escape Room. With more chances to “escape” this IDWeek, don’t miss your chance to race against time while solving cryptic puzzles. This experience will test your problem-solving skills and ID knowledge in a blend of mystery, science and teamwork. Step into this infectious world of fun and discovery — it’s a pulse-pounding adventure you won’t want to miss! Details on how to sign up are coming soon.

Interested in Participating?

When is it and how long will it take?

The Escape Room will run Thurs, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 19, and slot times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. On Sat Oct 19 the final slot will be at 3 p.m.
The amount of time the Escape Room experience will take depends on how quickly your group solves the puzzles, some groups take 30 minutes, but please prepare for up to 60 minutes.

Do I need to sign up as a team?

Each time slot can accommodate up to 6 participants; teams are encouraged but not necessary.
You’re going to need all the help you can get – teams whose members have different skills and training (e.g. pharmacist + infection preventionist + travel medicine + microbiologist) will have a better chance of solving all the puzzles!

How do I sign up?

Signups will occur in-person at IDWeek on the following days:

Weds, Oct. 16, 1-5 p.m. at the IDWeek Information booth found in the BugHub (LACC South Lobby).
Thurs, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 19, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Escape Room in the poster hall. The Escape Room can be found inside the Poster Hall near the entrance.
Signups for Escape Room time slots will be taken the previous day (i.e. Friday signups will be taken on Thursday).

How do I find the Escape Room and when should I arrive?

The Escape Room can be found inside the Poster Hall near the entrance.
Please show up about 15-minutes prior to your assigned slot to get your pre-Escape Room experience briefing.
Be prepared with a group name

Featured in OFID

Out-BREAK! : An IDWeek 2023 escape room to break out of the educational mold describes the design, development, and implementation of an educational ID-themed escape room activity entitled “Out-BREAK!” at an international conference, IDWeek 2023. An anonymous survey was conducted to collect demographic data, assess participant satisfaction with the escape room puzzles, and gauge participant interest in game-based learning.

Outbreak Escape Room Leaderboard

Thanks to our Organizers!

Adarsh Bhimraj, MD, FIDSA
Juri Boguniewicz, MD
Victoria Chu, MD, MPH

Sara Dong, MD
Katie Lusardi, PharmD
Michael Melia, MD, FIDSA
Shaqil Peermohamed, MD
Paul Pottinger, MD, FACP, FIDSA
Elizabeth Ristagno, MD, MSc, FAAP, FPIDS
Justin Searns, MD
Rachel Wattier, MD
Diana Zhong, MD, MHS