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Regional Infection Prevention Teams in Action |
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Introduction
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant (AR) infections are recognized public health threats that are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Yet, these infections are often preventable when facilities consistently apply infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and have a robust IPC program led by an experienced infection preventionist (IP).
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Regional IPs are actively addressing HAIs and AR in the Commonwealth by partnering with healthcare facilities and supporting local health departments. Their roles are essential to enhance Virginia’s infection prevention infrastructure and protect the health of the Commonwealth’s citizens.The purpose of the quarterly VDH Regional Infection Prevention Teams in Action Report is to spotlight the essential role and accomplishments of the VDH Regional IPs.
The first edition of this publication will:
• Introduce the VDH Regional IPs and describe their role
• Highlight Regional IP collaborations
• Summarize data from onsite infection prevention and control (IPC) visits
• Spotlight other infection prevention activities of the Regional IPs
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Who Are VDH IPs?
Registered nurses, medical laboratory scientists, or public health professionals who have specialized training in patient safety sciences and evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) practices across the continuum of care.
Our IPs are qualified through certification in infection control and have a combined 236 years of healthcare-related and public health experience. As of May 2023, VDH has nine Regional IPs and is in the process of hiring two more.
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Get to Know Our Team
2022 IP Activities At a Glance
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Setting Spotlight
 Source: Kingsport Times News. https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/abone-and-beyond-health-wagon-dentalclinic-
gets-good-reviews-after-virginia-department-of-health/article_cab1ad54-b965-11ed-9fd3-670aaeaf1457.html
The Southwest regional IP team, led by Sheri Ives, partnered with the Health Wagon’s dental clinic team in preparation for its opening. Sheri assessed the clinic’s IPC practices ensuring they met the highest level of safety for the patients who will be receiving services. The Health Wagon team, including the CEO Dr. Teresa Tyson “welcomed Ives’ visit as part of maintaining good patient care.” Tyson stated “This is really a good thing, especially with COVID”.
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Collaboration Corner
The Regional IPs partner with healthcare facilities by conducting non-punitive, non-regulatory visits. This collaboration fosters supportive and lasting relationships. Healthcare partners have this to say about their experience with the Regional IP team:
- “They were professional, collegial, and supportive” – Kaila Cooper MSN, RN, CIC Nursing Director, VCU Health
- “Working with the VDH IPs was a great experience. They were knowledgeable, professional and kind in their approach to the VCU team members. They were very detail-oriented in their assessment. They even brought an ATP machine to help us gather more information from our environment. They answered all questions we had, and gave us guidance on some areas of improvement. It is great that they follow up on items that were identified and ensure that they were resolved. They also offered to return and do teaching if we need them to. It is great to know that we can reach out to them for support when needed.” Izabela Dragos RN, CMSRN, Infection Preventionist, VCU Health
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Show Me The Data
Site Visits Conducted by Regional IPs, 2021-2022
Figure 1. Number of IPC Assessment Visits by Type, 2021-2022
From 2021-2022, the VDH Regional IPs conducted a total of 297 onsite IPC visits to different types of healthcare facilities (Figure 1). Nearly 60% of the total visits (n=177) were reactive visits, done in response to outbreaks (most commonly COVID-19). Approximately 30% (n=88) were proactive visits, conducted prior to any outbreak or infection prevention concern. During this type of visit, the team reviews the facility’s infection prevention and control program to identify its strengths and opportunities for improvement. Proactive IPC visits occurred in skilled nursing facilities most frequently (43%). The team also visited dialysis facilities (27%), outpatient settings such as free clinics (20%), long-term acute care hospitals (5%) and ventilator-capable skilled nursing facilities (5%). Approximately 11% of all visits (n=32) involved a follow up after the initial visit to evaluate implementation of recommendations and assist the facility with identified barriers.
Insights from Proactive Assessments in Long-Term Care Facilities
Figure 2. Scoring Report - Proactive IPC Assessments in Long-Term Care Facilities,
January 2022 - February 2023
The Regional IPs use standard assessment tools when conducting onsite visits. For proactive visits in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) like skilled nursing facilities, Regional IPs assess nine IPC program domains such as hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and injection safety. Scores for each domain are calculated based on the facility’s policies, procedures, and observations made during the visit (goal=100%). These scores allow facilities to prioritize their IPC efforts internally. On a state level, VDH uses the aggregated scores to understand the IPC needs of the healthcare setting, helps direct resources, and informs development of educational materials. The results from 44 proactive IPC assessments conducted in January 2022-February 2023 demonstrate that Virginia LTCFs exceled in the categories of respiratory hygiene and healthcare personnel & resident safety (Figure 2). Areas for improvement include antibiotic stewardship, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning and disinfection.
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What Do Regional IPs Do?
VDH regional infection preventionists practice in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, and outpatient settings. They perform multiple duties with the goal to prevent the spread of illness:
For more information
Please contact: hai@vdh.virginia.gov
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