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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Promo image of 2026 Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow

Ready, Set, Educate! Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow 2026

Infection prevention education keeps healthcare staff on their toes. From emerging diseases to new multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) challenges and changing guidance, training needs can shift fast. The 2026 Infection Prevention Educator Roadshow is here to help you stay ready with hands-on tools, fresh ideas, and practical strategies built for today’s ever-changing healthcare environment. 

More About the Roadshow 

  • Leave with practical educator supplies, resources, and fresh ideas to strengthen your training toolkit 
  • Connect with fellow infection preventionists, designated infection control officers, and health educators from across Virginia 
  • Explore real-world strategies that make infection prevention education more interactive, memorable, and effective  
  • Gain confidence teaching in fast-changing healthcare environments where flexibility matters more than ever 

For questions about this training resource, contact hai@vdh.virginia.gov. 

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.

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.
VDH Clinician Letter: Measles Outbreak in Buckingham County (5/13/2026)
VDH
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Outbreak Investigation
Measles Outbreak in Buckingham County: Outlines key case details, emphasizes prompt public health notification, reminds healthcare workers to watch for measles symptoms to prevent spread, and encourages providers to promote MMR vaccination and check immunization status.
CDC: Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026)
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Acute Care Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care Acute Hospital (LTACH)
Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
Department of Health
Hospice and Palliative Care
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Core Elements of Hospital Diagnostic Excellence (DxEx) (February 4, 2026) The Diagnostic excellence (DxEx) provides guidance to implement actionable strategies within hospitals to enhance diagnostic accuracy through improved diagnostic reasoning, testing methodologies, and communication processes, ultimately elevating patient safety standards. It encourages the implementation of systematic approaches and evidence-based practices for improving diagnostic processes, ultimately aiming to reduce errors and increase patient safety across healthcare settings.
CDC: Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance (March 19, 2026)
CDC
Any Practice Setting
Department of Health
Surveillance
Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance (March 19, 2026) The guidance on Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) emphasizes the importance of implementing prevention strategies, including appropriate antibiotic use, enhanced infection control practices, and patient education to reduce the incidence of C. diff infections in healthcare settings. It highlights the role of the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) in monitoring C. diff cases, promoting research on infection trends, and improving response efforts to effectively manage outbreaks and improve patient care.
VDH: Clinician Letter – Updates on Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Recommendations (2/19/2026)
VDH
Department of Health
Pediatric / NICU
Vaccination
Clinician Letter: Updates on Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Recommendations (2/19/2026) The clinician letter reports that Virginia recommends continued use of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 immunization schedule despite recent federal changes, emphasizing that current vaccine guidance should remain grounded in established scientific evidence and clinical best practices. The letter also states that there are no changes to Virginia school immunization requirements and urges clinicians to continue offering recommended vaccines and use clinical judgment in shared decision-making with patients and families.

What’s In Your Water?

Hayley Andrews, an infection preventionist in the southwest region of Virginia, used her curious mind and a desire to educate others to help uncover environmental contamination that caused an illness in one of her patients.

Hayley’s facility admitted a patient with sepsis, and blood cultures grew Aeromonas hydrophila.  Because Hayley had never heard of this organism, she researched it and learned that it is typically a waterborne organism.  Hayley took this information to the nursing unit where the patient was located and the patient’s son heard her educating the nurses about Aeromonas.  He joined in and mentioned that his mom had a well and he was concerned that it may be contaminated.

The health department visited the home and tested the water. Sure enough, it was contaminated with Aeromonas and other organisms, and failed potability testing. The health department was able to get the patient an alternate, safe water source upon her discharge to prevent further infection until her well water could be remediated. 

Thank you, Hayley! Your diligence prevented this patient from getting sick again, and perhaps prevented other neighbors from a similar outcome! 

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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