VIPTA is a statewide infection prevention and control education collaborative, led by the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Group. Through partnership, VIPTA curates IPC resources for Virginia’s healthcare, congregate care, and public health settings.
Support for the Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage this Winter
On December 14th, CDC released a health advisory about the ongoing need to vaccinate against viral respiratory infections this winter. To help healthcare workers, the health advisory included supporting data and educational resources that we are featuring this month.
Ways to Share these Resources
- Update your patient communication script for the electronic medical record; it isn’t too late to vaccinate!
- These conversation-based education resources may be key for those who didn’t vaccinate early.
Target Audience: Essentials IPC education level
Guidance & Regulation Updates
VIPTA members track guidance and regulation resources to share source documents that guide infection prevention and control practices for public health staff and clinical and non-clinical healthcare personnel.
The date of the regulation or guidance update is included in each post. Please check linked content to be sure it is the most up to date and recommended practice.
H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary (5/24/2024)
Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (5/20/2024)
Health Advisory: Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA): Ensure Pilgrims are Current on Meningococcal Vaccination (5/20/2024)
Rapid Evidence Product: Active Infection Surveillance of Clostridioides difficile ( diff) and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and Candida auris (5/9/2024)
VDH: Reporting Adverse Events in Children Following Exposure to THC and CBD Containing Products (4/24/2024)
Celebrating One Year Without a Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection!
On Thursday October 12, 2023, the Infection Prevention and Nursing leadership teams at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital rounded on the nursing units to celebrate achieving one year without a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)! Cupcakes (yellow frosted, of course) were distributed to all and many thanks shared with the teams. The entire hospital has been instrumental in reducing CAUTIs at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital.
It starts in the Emergency Department with urinary catheters only being placed when absolutely necessary, then responsibility moves to the inpatient units where daily conversations are held to assess the need for the catheter. Infection Prevention reviews urinalysis and urine culture orders on patients with catheters, ensuring good culture stewardship. Physicians are engaged with the infection prevention and nursing teams in the conversations about catheter and urine culture necessity. This excellent teamwork has led to a reduction in CAUTIs and the achievement of being one-year CAUTI free!
IPC Education & Training Library
Search the VIPTA library of curated infection prevention and control (IPC) education and training resources. The IPC Education & Training Resource Library includes state and national resources related to healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and/or IPC. Visit the VIPTA FAQ page to learn more about VIPTA library content.