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.
The Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow Is Back This Summer
The Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow is hosted by the VDH HAI & AR Program and will be coming to a location near you in summer 2024.
More About This Resource
- This free training is focused on building your skills to educate healthcare workers on infection prevention and will be a hands-on learning day.
- Participants may come from all practice settings. Last year, participants came from acute care, long-term care, EMS, health department, behavioral health, congregate settings, public health, and more. All are welcome.
- This will be an all-new training; previous attendance not required. If you came to Roadshow 2023, there will be all new lessons this year, so please join us again!
- Register online – seats are filling up!
For questions about this training resource, contact ginger.vanhoozer@vdh.virginia.gov
Target Audience: Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced IPC levels
VDH Southwest Regional Team Infection Prevention Mentorship Program
This month, Paige Bordwine, Southwest Regional Epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is highlighting the successes of an infection prevention mentorship program among health department staff in her region.
The Southwest Virginia Regional Infection Prevention team consists of three infection preventionists (IPs), supported by regional containment team members who assist with COVID-19 investigation and prevention. To strengthen IPC expertise and expand regional support, the IPs began mentoring containment team members. Through shadowing during on-site IPC assessments, mentees gained hands-on experience in conducting observations, providing education, and offering resources to address facility needs.
After facilities receive their recommendations report, an IP mentee follows up to address questions and needs, as well as provide education, observations, and interventions based on the IPC assessment. Notably, many skilled nursing and congregate care facilities lacked trained N95 fit testers. In response, the regional team assigned a specialist to conduct train-the-trainer sessions and assist with initial fit testing.
The Southwest Region has received excellent feedback on the value of the IP mentee program. Facilities benefit from mentee support, while mentees gain infection prevention experience, often using the program as a pathway to becoming infection preventionists and pursuing certification in infection control. Mentees describe the experience as rewarding, impactful, and an invaluable learning opportunity.
