Virginia Infection Prevention & Control Training Alliance (VIPTA)

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.

More about VIPTA

 

Upcoming Events

View Calendar
Mpox on different skin tones

Shining a Light on Representation in Healthcare Training

Mpox is a contagious rash illness caused by the mpox virus. In November 2024, the first case of clade I mpox was confirmed in the United States. The Virginia Department of Health’s mpox fact sheet features medical images of diverse skin tones to enhance healthcare professionals’ ability to recognize mpox symptoms in all patients.

In a 2022 study, Buonsenso et al. found that 74% of surveyed healthcare professionals reported using training materials featuring predominantly white skin, and only 5% felt confident diagnosing skin conditions across all skin tones. Inclusive training materials like this not only build diagnostic confidence but also advance equitable care for diverse communities.

Want to Learn More? Access the VDH mpox fact sheet for practical guidance on prevention, symptoms, and treatment. Visit VDH’s mpox webpage to learn more.

Target Audience: Foundational 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.

2023 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Department of Health
Data Analysis
Surveillance
The 2023 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report provides a summary of national and state level data for select HAIs across four healthcare settings: acute care hospitals (ACHs), critical access hospitals (CAHs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). In acute care hospitals, standardized infection ratios (SIRs) showed statistically significant improvement in 2023 compared to 2022 for all HAIs except surgical site infections.
Increase in Pneumonia and Pertussis Infections
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Mobile Clinic
Pediatric / NICU
Laboratory Collection and Interpretation
Surveillance
Vaccination
Updates on the increases in pneumonia and pertussis in Virginia along with diagnosis, testing, treatment, and infection prevention and control recommendations.
First Case of Clade I Mpox Diagnosed in the United States
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Laboratory Collection and Interpretation
Surveillance
Transmission-Based Precautions
Vaccination
A Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide information about the first case of clade I mpox diagnosed in the United States and recommendations to clinicians about preventing, diagnosing, treating, and reporting mpox cases.
Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule Fact Sheet (CMS-1803-F)
CMS
Department of Health
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Surveillance
A new rule requiring long-term care facilities to report resident information about COVID-19, influenza, and RSV starting January 1, 2025, on a weekly basis through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network. This updated requirement will replace the current COVID-19 reporting requirement for staff and residents.
Disruption in Production of IV Fluid Due to Impacts from Hurricane Helene
VDH
Any Practice Setting
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Addresses the disruption in production of IV solutions as a result of Hurricane Helene on the Baxter International Inc. North Cove manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina. Includes updates, recommendations to mitigate the impact, and VDH’s response to the situation.

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.

 

Connect With VIPTA

Last Updated: February 14, 2024