VIPTA members track guidance and regulation updates to create a one-stop-shop for users. The updates include 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.
Search and/or filter the guidance and regulation updates posted on the VIPTA website. Below, you can view all guidance and regulation updates sorted by most recent publication.
Not finding resources for a specific setting of care? Try selecting "Any Practice Setting".
VDH Clinician Letter: Raising Awareness About an Ebola Disease Outbreak Caused by Sudan Virus in Uganda (2/11/2025)
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Department of Health
Outbreak Investigation
Surveillance
Shares CDC recommendations for clinicians (see Ebola Health Advisory for more details) Reminds clinicians to immediately contact the local health department to report any patient with compatible signs and symptoms of Sudan virus disease and an epidemiologic risk factor.
CDC Health Advisory: Ebola Outbreak Caused by Sudan virus in Uganda (2/6/2025)
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Department of Health
Outbreak Investigation
Surveillance
Review CDC's recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians about case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories. As a precaution and because there are other viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in East Africa, CDC is sharing best practices to raise awareness about this outbreak.
VDH Clinician Letter: Avian Influenza Update for Virginia (1/31/2025)
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Outbreak Investigation
Surveillance
Avian influenza A(H5) has not been detected in people or dairy cattle in Virginia. It has recently been detected in Virginia in wild birds, commercial poultry, and in birds housed in a zoo collection. These detections are not unexpected, as avian influenza A(H5) virus is currently widely circulating in the environment. The risk from avian influenza viruses to the public remains low. People with job-related or recreational exposure to birds or other avian influenza virus-infected animals are at greater risk of infection. Clinicians should consider the possibility of avian influenza virus infection in persons showing signs or symptoms of acute […]
Health Advisory: Accelerated Subtyping of Influenza A in Hospitalized Patients (1/16/25)
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Laboratory Collection and Interpretation
Surveillance
To prevent delays in identifying human infections with avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses, especially during periods of high seasonal influenza activity, the CDC recommends a shortened timeline for subtyping all influenza A specimens from hospitalized patients. This measure will support optimal patient care, infection control, and case investigation. Clinicians and laboratory staff are urged to test for influenza in patients with suspected influenza and to prioritize the rapid subtyping of influenza A-positive specimens, particularly those from patients in intensive care units. Additionally, clinical laboratories should increase efforts to identify non-seasonal influenza strains.
Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) November Public Meeting Recap (11/14/24)
CDC
Any Practice Setting
Transmission-Based Precautions
During the November meeting, the workgroup presented responses to the committee for the draft Guidelines for Isolation Precautions and Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel. HICPAC voted and approved the responses.
Interim Guidance for Employers to Reduce Exposure to Novel Influenza A (Such as H5N1 Bird Flu) for People Working with or Exposed to Animals (11/12/2024)
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Transmission-Based Precautions
This updated interim guidance identifies work tasks that may pose an increased risk of worker exposure to novel influenza A viruses associated with disease in humans and provides recommended controls for each level. Specific recommendations for these work tasks may be updated as CDC learns more during this evolving situation.
2023 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Department of Health
Data Analysis
Surveillance
The 2023 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report provides a summary of national and state level data for select HAIs across four healthcare settings: acute care hospitals (ACHs), critical access hospitals (CAHs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). In acute care hospitals, standardized infection ratios (SIRs) showed statistically significant improvement in 2023 compared to 2022 for all HAIs except surgical site infections.
Increase in Pneumonia and Pertussis Infections
VDH
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Mobile Clinic
Pediatric / NICU
Laboratory Collection and Interpretation
Surveillance
Vaccination
Updates on the increases in pneumonia and pertussis in Virginia along with diagnosis, testing, treatment, and infection prevention and control recommendations.
First Case of Clade I Mpox Diagnosed in the United States
CDC
Acute Care Hospital
Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care
Department of Health
Emergency Preparedness & Operations
Laboratory Collection and Interpretation
Surveillance
Transmission-Based Precautions
Vaccination
A Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide information about the first case of clade I mpox diagnosed in the United States and recommendations to clinicians about preventing, diagnosing, treating, and reporting mpox cases.
Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule Fact Sheet (CMS-1803-F)
CMS
Department of Health
Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Surveillance
A new rule requiring long-term care facilities to report resident information about COVID-19, influenza, and RSV starting January 1, 2025, on a weekly basis through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network. This updated requirement will replace the current COVID-19 reporting requirement for staff and residents.
Last Updated: March 14, 2024