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.
Cleaning with Purpose: EVS and the Fight Against HAIs
Infection prevention isn’t ONLY about hand hygiene and PPE—it starts with the very environment we work in. Environmental Services (EVS) professionals are on the front lines of infection prevention, playing a critical role in stopping multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and keeping patients, staff, and visitors safe.
What to Expect
These resources highlight the essential role of EVS teams in infection prevention, from stopping the spread of MDROs to creating a safe environment for patients, residents and staff.
- Association for the Health Care Environment’s EVS Educational Video Series (Now available in Spanish!): Short, focused videos that highlight why EVS work is critical to patient safety and how infection prevention best practices can be seamlessly integrated into daily workflows.
- California Department of Public Health/Project Firstline EVS Toolkit: A comprehensive resource pack with bite-sized training materials and interactive games that can be used in team huddles, staff meetings, or individual learning.
- EVS and the Battle Against Infection – Graphic Novel: A unique, engaging way to showcase the vital role of EVS professionals in infection prevention.
How to Use These Resources
- Incorporate them into EVS team huddles and training sessions.
- Use videos as onboarding tools for new EVS staff.
- Empower EVS teams by reinforcing their critical role in healthcare safety.
Target Audience: Essential IPC Education Level
Reinforcing Healthy Behaviors: A Special Dialysis Christmas Shop at UVA Zions Crossroads
Promoting healthy habits in chronic disease patients can be challenging, but UVA Zions Crossroads Dialysis offers a creative example. Administrative Assistant S.P. and Registered Dietician K.G. planned and led a unique Dialysis Christmas Shop to encourage positive behaviors.
Planning and Participation: The event takes over a year to organize and requires stable staffing, so it isn’t held every year. About 90% of the shop’s items are new, sourced through yard sales, staff donations (often re-gifted), and include practical gifts like blenders, grills, jackets, tools, and children’s presents for grandparents.
Purpose and Pricing: Many dialysis patients have limited incomes, and the holidays can be stressful. Items are priced affordably so everyone can participate. Some patients even share leftover “dialysis dollars” to help others buy special gifts.
Earning ‘Dialysis Dollars’: Starting in September, patients earn ‘dialysis dollars’ by demonstrating healthy behaviors, including:
- Controlling phosphorus levels (monthly measured)
- Managing fluid intake (reviewed by K.G. over 7 treatments)
- Consistently attending dialysis sessions
- Staying for the full treatment time
- Completing an educational crossword puzzle
Patients can earn up to $15, and these dollars cannot be taken away, even if unexpected events occur (hospitalization, surgery, transportation issues). Education is provided on why these behaviors matter.
Impact: Three motivated patients earned the full $15 for shopping, and most of the 44 patients participated. Extra items were raffled off to spread holiday cheer.
This initiative shows that positive reinforcement can bring joy and promote health in a chronic disease community during the holidays.
