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.
Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Facility Code, 2026 Edition (draft)
CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Animals: Interim Recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations (6/20/2024)
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)
What’s In Your Water?
Hayley Andrews, an infection preventionist in the southwest region of Virginia, used her curious mind and a desire to educate others to help uncover environmental contamination that caused an illness in one of her patients.
Hayley’s facility admitted a patient with sepsis, and blood cultures grew Aeromonas hydrophila. Because Hayley had never heard of this organism, she researched it and learned that it is typically a waterborne organism. Hayley took this information to the nursing unit where the patient was located and the patient’s son heard her educating the nurses about Aeromonas. He joined in and mentioned that his mom had a well and he was concerned that it may be contaminated.
The health department visited the home and tested the water. Sure enough, it was contaminated with Aeromonas and other organisms, and failed potability testing. The health department was able to get the patient an alternate, safe water source upon her discharge to prevent further infection until her well water could be remediated.
Thank you, Hayley! Your diligence prevented this patient from getting sick again, and perhaps prevented other neighbors from a similar outcome!
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.