Virginia Infection Prevention & Control Training Alliance (VIPTA)

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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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Healthcare Ventilation Can Really Blow

When it comes to infection prevention, what’s in the air matters. This month’s featured resources focus on healthcare airflow and ventilation, breaking down complex concepts into practical tools that are easy to use. Be sure to check the Regulation & Guidance Updates section for new information from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to stay current on the latest recommendations.

What to Expect

  • ASHE Project Firstline Explainer Videos: Short, easy-to-share resource from American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) that help facility managers and frontline staff understand the critical role ventilation plays in keeping healthcare environments safe. (English & Spanish)
  • CDC Project Firstline Ventilation Factsheet: A clear, shareable overview of how ventilation supports infection control and helps reduce the spread of germs in healthcare settings. (English & Spanish)
  • ASHE Ventilation Quick Guide FAQs: A plain-language reference with concise answers to common questions about ventilation and prevention in the healthcare environment. (English & Spanish)

How to use it:

  • Walk-Through with Unit IP Champion: Have a charge nurse or IP do a 5-minute walk of the area looking for best practices and asking staff:
    • “What should never be in front of an airflow vent?”
    • “What rooms require doors closed?”
  • Breakroom Air Facts Board: Post the CDC factsheet with a simple header like: “This room protects patients/residents too. Here’s how the air helps.”
  • Play Rank That Risk!: Use airflow issues you found on rounds or create hypothetical risks you want staff to be aware of like a vent blocked by a trashcan, propped open door of an airborne isolation room, or a missing or open ceiling tile. Ask: “What’s the risk here?”

Target Audience: Intermediate 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.

VDH: Clinician Letter – Measles Outbreak Expansion and Back-to-School Immunizations (6/26/2026)
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Pediatric / NICU
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Vaccination
Clinician Letter: Measles Outbreak Expansion and Back-to-School Immunizations (6/26/2026) The Virginia Department of Health announced that the Buckingham County measles outbreak has expanded to Cumberland County. Review the expanded outbreak vaccination recommendations, encourage patients to stay up to date on immunizations before the school year, and immediately report suspected or confirmed measles cases to your local health department.
VDH: Clinician Letter – Public Health Updates on Measles, Ebola Preparedness, and Travel-Associated Illnesses (6/03/2026)
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Pediatric / NICU
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Vaccination
Clinician Letter: Public Health Updates on Measles, Ebola Preparedness, and Travel-Associated Illnesses (6/03/2026) This clinician letter provides updates on rising measles activity, Ebola preparedness, and travel-associated illnesses. Protect patients and staff by maintaining a high index of suspicion, assessing travel history, following infection control guidance, ensuring vaccination coverage, and promptly reporting suspected cases to your local health department.
APIC: New Toolkit to Address Problematic Manufacturer Instructions for Use for Non‑Critical Devices (5/08/2026)
APIC
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Quality Improvement
Regulatory Compliance
New Toolkit to Address Problematic Manufacturer Instructions for Use for Non‑Critical Devices: This toolkit provides practical strategies and resources to help healthcare professionals address problems with manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs) for non-critical medical devices. It supports infection preventionists in safely reprocessing devices when IFUs are unclear, incomplete, or difficult to follow.  *Access this resource with a free APIC account.

✨Innovative Antimicrobial Stewardship Education in Long-Term Care: A Virginia Beach Success Story

Whitney Rice, MPH, CIC, Healthcare-Associated Infections Epidemiologist at the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health, has taken a proactive and creative approach to antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care settings. Inspired by a successful initiative from another Virginia health district, Rice launched an educational campaign across three types of long-term care facilities: skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities (ALFs), and multicare centers.

The program was designed to reach all key stakeholders (e.g., providers, residents, and families) with tailored educational materials and interactive sessions. These included PowerPoint presentations, printed handouts, activity books, and engaging games such as a microbe matching challenge (to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections) and a Jeopardy-style quiz game for staff. A post-education survey revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback: residents enjoyed the sessions, and staff expressed interest in more in-depth technical content.

Key Educational Messages:

  • For Residents and Families: Emphasis was placed on the importance of taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed, on time and without skipping doses, and understanding that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.
  • For Providers: The training focused on resisting pressure to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics and included guidance on managing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), with a focus on cleaning, disinfection, and Enhanced Barrier Precautions to prevent their spread.

Lessons Learned:

  • Skilled Nursing Facilities: These settings yielded the most effective provider education, likely due to the more consistent presence of medical staff and pharmacists.
  • Assisted Living Facilities: Provider education was more challenging here due to fewer on-site clinicians, but resident engagement was highest, as ALF residents were more able to actively participate in the sessions.
  • Future Plans: These insights will be used to refine and tailor future rounds of education, ensuring that content delivery is optimized for each facility type and audience.

Whitney Rice’s initiative demonstrates how thoughtful, audience-specific education can enhance antimicrobial stewardship and promote responsible antibiotic use in long-term care environments. Her work serves as a model for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

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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