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.

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Winter Reminder: Ice Safety Goes Beyond the Sidewalk

Winter Reminder: Ice Safety Goes Beyond the Sidewalk 

Winter means watching your step outside, scanning sidewalks and parking lots for patches of ice. But in healthcare settings, ice deserves just as much caution indoors as it does outdoors. From ice machines to scoops and storage bins, ice can become a hidden source of germs if it’s not handled carefully. 

The CDC Project Firstline “Think Twice About Ice” micro-learn offers an easy-to-use training resource with a facilitator discussion guide and an educational handout.  

How to use it 

  • Tie-in to Facility Protocols: Connect the micro-learn’s points to your facility’s infection control policies. For example, clarify who is responsible for cleaning and maintaining ice machines and how often equipment should be disinfected. 
  • Post the Job Aid: Print the one-page job aid and place it on breakroom boards, near staff lounges, or by ice machines. Visual reminders reinforce key actions like washing hands before handling ice and using clean scoops and containers. 

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.

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. 
CDC: Updated 2026 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Surveillance Protocols (January 2026)
CDC
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Surveillance
CDC updated the NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual, including Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) Module protocols and data definitions used for facility reporting. These updates include new documentation and reporting guidance, effective for 2026 surveillance. A summary of updates is available on the CDC website. 
APIC: New White Paper on Centralized Health-Associated Infection Surveillance Programs and Micro-Credential to Advance Centralized HAI Surveillance and Patient Safety (1/20/2026)
APIC
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Surveillance
This paper offers guidance and expert perspectives on implementing centralized surveillance programs for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) data within health systems, a key step toward more standardized HAI measurement and prevention. It emphasizes improving surveillance accuracy, data use, and patient safety. 
VDH: Clinician Letter: Respiratory Illness and Measles Updates for Virginia (1/21/2026)
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Outbreak Investigation
Standard Precautions
Vaccination
The clinician letter reports that respiratory illness activity in Virginia has declined but influenza-related hospitalizations remain elevated, and clinicians should continue vaccination, testing, and prompt antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.   The letter also warns of ongoing measles cases and exposures in Virginia, urging clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion, immediately isolate suspected cases, notify public health, and ensure staff and patients have documented MMR immunity.  
AHRQ: Toolkit for Improving Skin Care and MDRO Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings
AHRQ
Acute Care Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care Acute Hospital (LTACH)
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
Behavioral Health Facilities
Hospice and Palliative Care
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Antimicrobial & Diagnostic Stewardship
Toolkit for Improving Skin Care and Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings   Clinical topics in the toolkit center around four key strategies to protect skin and prevent infection: (1) Keep skin clean and safe; (2) Reduce MDRO transmission; (3) Use antibiotics wisely; and (4) Clean high-touch surfaces.   The toolkit also includes “teachable moments.” These documents use real-world healthcare scenarios to reinforce concepts related to skin care and infection prevention.

Effective Partnerships, Safe Communities

Old Dominion Rehabilitation and Nursing demonstrated exceptional commitment to resident and community safety during recent healthcare-associated infection and multidrug-resistant organism outbreak responses. Andrea Hart, Infection Preventionist and Sheila Clements, Director of Nursing, provided strong, effective leadership, working seamlessly with local and regional health departments to quickly address infection control gaps, implement public health guidance, and strengthen prevention practices.  

Transparent communication and a collaborative mindset were key to the facility’s success, enabling timely, coordinated, and highly effective outbreak containment. This partnership also fostered lasting improvements in infection prevention that extend well beyond the immediate responses.  

The VDH Eastern Region Infection Preventionist worked closely with the facility and commended its leadership for their professionalism, adaptability, and dedication to safety. Through consistent communication, on-site and remote support, and shared problem-solving, the team implemented evidence-based interventions and piloted new tools to enhance outbreak readiness.  

The success of these outbreak responses underscores the power of strong partnerships between long-term care facilities and public health teams. Old Dominion Rehabilitation and Nursing’s collaborative approach exemplifies excellence in long-term care leadership and a shared commitment to protecting residents, staff, and the community. 

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.

 

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Last Updated: June 30, 2025