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.
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
Cuppa Tea with an IP
Let’s raise a mug and celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Virginia Department of Health’s Cuppa Tea with an IP weekly meeting! It’s been a year of forging connections and sharing knowledge among infection prevention pros, all thanks to Cuppa Tea. Inspired by the cozy chats over tea (or coffee!) between Ginger Vanhoozer from the VDH HAI & AR Program and Eva Anderson an IP at VCU Health (shoutout to Eva for the awesome name!), Cuppa Tea has become the go-to hangout for IP enthusiasts.
Forget stuffy office vibes—Cuppa Tea was designed to feel like a laid-back coffee shop catch-up. With tunes setting the mood before each meeting, you’ll feel the camaraderie and warmth that make sharing ideas a breeze. And can we talk numbers? In its debut year, Cuppa Tea drew in 1,397 attendees, with many making it a weekly tradition.
But Cuppa Tea isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the positive vibes. It’s your weekly quick check-in for the latest infection prevention updates, a chance to pick up some educational nuggets, and a safe space for bouncing ideas off fellow IPs and VDH subject matter experts. Participants have called it “a fun and interactive way to stay in the loop,” “like catching up with old friends who know their stuff,” and “a breath of fresh air for IPs in Virginia.” With its easy-to-digest format and treasure trove of resources, Cuppa Tea has become a staple in the calendars of healthcare professionals across Virginia.
To grab your mug and join this group any Wednesday at 2pm, get your invite at the VDH HAI & AR Training and Education website or at the Cuppa Tea registration link. Here’s to another year of meaningful connections, shared insights, and many more cups of tea (or coffee) with colleagues and friends! Cheers to Cuppa Tea with an IP!
