Virginia Infection Prevention & Control Training Alliance (VIPTA)

vipta logo

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
Image showing germs spreading from one person coughing to another person breathing.

Spread Knowledge, Not Germs: Cough Etiquette Tips

Respiratory season is still in full swing, with rising cases of seasonal influenza locally and H5 bird flu infections and human metapneumovirus globally. It’s the perfect time to revisit the basics of cough etiquette, a critical component of Standard Precautions to reduce the spread of infections. This month, we’re featuring the Pause for Prevention: Cough Etiquette resource developed by Health Quality Innovation Network, a VIPTA partner, to enhance infection prevention and control (IPC) practices across healthcare settings.

What to Expect

  • A three-page education package with an educational flyer and a facilitator guide designed to train on cough etiquette using workplace learning principles.
  • You can use everyday items like a spray bottle and personal protective equipment to create quick, interactive demonstrations that leave a lasting impression on participants.

Ways to Share this Resource

  • Use in team huddles, small group orientation, or one-on-one training sessions.
  • Adapt the scenarios to role-play situations involving your healthcare roles and facility.

Target Audience: Essential 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.

CDC: Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026)
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Acute Care Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care Acute Hospital (LTACH)
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
Department of Health
Hospice and Palliative Care
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026) The Diagnostic excellence (DxEx) provides guidance to implement actionable strategies within hospitals to enhance diagnostic accuracy through improved diagnostic reasoning, testing methodologies, and communication processes, ultimately elevating patient safety standards. It encourages the implementation of systematic approaches and evidence-based practices for improving diagnostic processes, ultimately aiming to reduce errors and increase patient safety across healthcare settings.
CDC: Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance (March 19, 2026)
CDC
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Surveillance
Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance (March 19, 2026) The guidance on Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) emphasizes the importance of implementing prevention strategies, including appropriate antibiotic use, enhanced infection control practices, and patient education to reduce the incidence of C. diff infections in healthcare settings. It highlights the role of the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) in monitoring C. diff cases, promoting research on infection trends, and improving response efforts to effectively manage outbreaks and improve patient care.
VDH: Clinician Letter – Updates on Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Recommendations (2/19/2026)
VDH
Department of Health
Pediatric / NICU
Vaccination
Clinician Letter: Updates on Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Recommendations (2/19/2026) The clinician letter reports that Virginia recommends continued use of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 immunization schedule despite recent federal changes, emphasizing that current vaccine guidance should remain grounded in established scientific evidence and clinical best practices. The letter also states that there are no changes to Virginia school immunization requirements and urges clinicians to continue offering recommended vaccines and use clinical judgment in shared decision-making with patients and families.
CDC: Considerations for Reducing Risk – Water in Healthcare Facilities (2/6/2026)
CDC
Any Practice Setting
Water Management
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Considerations for Reducing Risk: Water in Healthcare Facilities (February 6, 2026) CDC recommends establishing a water management program that identifies risk areas in a facility’s water system and implements controls to prevent harmful pathogens like Legionella. The program should be routinely monitored, documented, and adjusted to ensure it remains effective and responsive to changing conditions.
ASHRAE: Ventilation of Healthcare Facilities (2/16/2026)
Any Practice Setting
Air Quality
Ventilator
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)  Ventilation of Healthcare Facilities (02/16/2026)   The 2025 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170 outlines minimum ventilation requirements for health care facilities, emphasizing compliance and best practices for HVAC system design.  Key updates include the option for natural ventilation, total outdoor air calculations for combined spaces, and clarified requirements for imaging and outpatient areas. 

Meet APIC Virginia’s Board Members

This month in Cheers for Peers, we would like to spotlight a few of the 2024 board members of the Virginia chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC Virginia).

MAI JATTA, APIC Virginia President

  • Facility: Carilion Clinic
  • Why did you get into infection prevention? As someone who contemplated going into public health but ultimately decided to go into nursing, the role of the infection preventionist perfectly combined my interests.  The IP role has allowed me to use my nursing skills and knowledge while also acquiring and applying public health principles to promote and advance patient safety. 
  • What do you love about being part of APIC? APIC provides resources and a wide network of support for IPs. Through APIC, I have met and learned from a wide variety of experts in the field. I am most grateful for the relationships I have been able to establish and build, gaining mentors and colleagues in the field. Having resources and a network of support is pivotal to success in infection prevention efforts.
  • Fun fact about yourself! I am a subtle food connoisseur. 

MARKO PREDIC, APIC Virginia Membership Secretary

  • Facility HCA Capital Division – Corporate
  • Why did you get into infection prevention? The ability to make the greatest impact for a wide range of patients.
  • What do you love about being part of APIC? APIC is a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals who are working towards a common goal- improving patient outcomes. We share in our successes and failures and celebrate ingenuity.
  • Fun fact about yourself! I was a college rower for 4 years at the University of Florida. 

CINDY TAYLOR, APIC Virginia 1st Year Director

  • Facility: UVA Health (acute care hospital, more than 100 outpatient clinics) 
  • Why did you get into infection prevention? By default, like most of us. The job needed doing and I was assigned the work.  
  • What do you love about being part of APIC? Networking with members, assisting each other with problem solving or just sharing IP stories.
  • Fun fact about yourself! I once traveled to NYC on a private jet! We were met at the airport by a limousine and escorted for a day of Christmas shopping at Manhattan’s finest stores, including Tiffany’s! 

CHARMAYNE FLOWERS, APIC Virginia Recording Secretary

  • Facility: Hampton VA Medical Center
  • Why did you get into infection prevention? I’ve always been fascinated by diseases and the different types of organisms and wanted to learn what I could do to protect my patients and community.
  • What do you love about being part of APIC? I got to become a part of another family who supports and nurtures each other in our profession.
  • Fun fact about yourself! Although I don’t have much time for it nowadays, I love to dance. 

EBONI CRAWFORD, APIC Virginia Treasurer

  • Facility: Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
  • Why did you get into infection prevention? Learned of the profession during my time with the Florida Department of Health and fell in love!
  • What do you love about being part of APIC? I love being part of such a supportive team – both professionally and personally.
  • Fun fact about yourself! I love all things stickers and creative journaling/planning! 

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