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, VIPTAcurates IPC resources for Virginia’s healthcare, congregate care, and public health settings.
This Valentine’s season is a good time to revisit one of infection prevention’s most reliable love stories: the partnership between measles vaccination and early public health response.
In 2025, the United States saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 30 years, with more than 2,200 people sickened and three deaths reported. After decades of progress, measles is once again reminding us why consistent prevention efforts still matter.
MMR Vaccination Coverage Gaps Map: New mapping tools that show where vaccination coverage is lower and where outbreaks are more likely.
JAMA Patient Page: What Is Measles?A clear, visual overview of measles symptoms and transmission, including images that show how measles rash can appear on different skin tones, supporting inclusive education.
Measles Myths and Facts Factsheet:A simple, evidence-based handout that helps staff and patients separate common measles myths from facts.
How to use it:
Build a microlearning moment. Choose one resource per week to review briefly during staff meetings, huddles, or shift change to reinforce key prevention concepts without adding time burden.
Strengthen onboarding and refreshers. Incorporate these resources into onboarding or annual education to reinforce measles prevention, vaccination importance, and early response expectations.
Practice vaccine conversations. Pair the Measles Myths and Facts factsheet with role-play or discussion to help staff practice responding to common questions or misconceptions with clear, evidence-based messages.
This Valentine’s Day, fall back in love with measles prevention and the tools that help keep everyone safer.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Recent updates to the Monkeypox Playbook include the CDC’s Traveler Health Notice advising enhanced precautions and an updated Risk/Triage Scale recommending increased awareness. Additional information covers the current global situation of monkeypox and the latest outbreak reports.
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!
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.
