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Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) | Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) | United States (U.S.)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) |
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Great news; our newsletter has undergone a transformation! We now have a new design, name, and narrowed scope. We are excited to present the HAI & AR Navigator, which aims to provide regular updates to healthcare and public health professionals in Virginia with a focus on HAI, AR, infection prevention & control, and antimicrobial stewardship related information. |
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News in Virginia
Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
On June 1, 2023, CDC issued a HAN Health Update on the status of the ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak among U.S. residents after medical/surgical procedures performed under epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico. Check out the recent Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) recording to learn more about interim recommendations for diagnosing and managing suspected fungal meningitis cases. All patients, regardless of symptoms, who received procedures under epidural anesthesia at River Side Surgical Center or Clinica K-3 since January 2023 should be evaluated for fungal meningitis. Healthcare providers should immediately report possible fungal meningitis cases possibly related to this outbreak to their local health department.
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COVID-19 Source Control
The end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) discontinued CDC's COVID-19 Community Transmission Level Data. As a result, healthcare facilities should use the following recommendations to decide when to add or remove prevention strategies:
COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force Website Retired
VDH has retired the COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force page. COVID-19 resources for long-term care settings have been moved to the VDH HAI/AR Long-Term Care Settings page. On the website, go to “Infection Prevention Resources > COVID-19" to view guidance documents, trainings, and resources related to testing, therapeutics, and vaccine.
SHEA/IDSA/APIC Strategies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2022 Update
The next section of the 2022 update to the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent HAIs is now published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE). As noted in the update, “The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist acute-care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing their surgical site infection prevention efforts.”
Candida auris and Carbapenem-Resistant Organism Infection Prevention Guidance Updated
Infection prevention guidance for Candida auris and carbapenem-resistant organisms was recently updated on the VDH website:
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National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Updated COVID-19 Hospital Data Reporting Guidance
Specific details regarding the updated guidance for hospitals on COVID-19 reporting can be found here: Reporting Updates to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network Post-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Trainings and related material can be found on the CDC/NHSN website.
CDC NHSN Modernization Survey: Feedback Needed
The CDC NHSN Modernization Project is seeking volunteers to help shape the future of the NHSN by taking part in a survey. Your input will help identify your pain points, gaps, and business needs, which can result in a more user-friendly experience. The success of this project heavily depends on NHSN users’ participation in this survey. Interested volunteers can email nhsnbeta@cdc.gov. In the email, please share your basic information, such as your role, NHSN component, and which facility you belong to. The NHSN Modernization Project team will contact you with next steps.
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Training & Education
Virginia IMPACT Telehealth Survey
Virginia IMPACT, a partnership between VDH’s Virginia Long-Term Care Infrastructure Pilot Projects (VLIPP) and the University of Virginia aims to achieve improved infectious disease preparedness through technology-supported education. IMPACT is seeking staff in congregate facilities across Virginia to complete the brief Telehealth Use, Benefits, and Barriers survey. Complete the survey by July 21, 2023 to be entered into a raffle.
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Adult Day Center Office Hours by LeadingAge Virginia
VDH has awarded a grant to LeadingAge Virginia to develop model infection prevention and control policies for Virginia's licensed Adult Day Centers (ADC). The LeadingAge Virginia and Health Quality Innovators (HQI) project team invites you to register now for the third Adult Day Center (ADC) Infection Control Model Policy Implementation Office Hours session scheduled for July 13 at 2 p.m. ET, with a focus on policy enactment. The team will also share additional finalized ADC infection control model policy templates and best practices related to policy enactment. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a collaborative discussion.
CDC and CMS COVID-19 Updated Guidance for Infection Prevention in Healthcare Facilities
The slides, recording, and Q&A from the June 14th VDH HAI/AR program webinar on COVID-19 infection updates was posted on the VDH HAI/AR Education and Training page.
APIC Podcast Highlights VDH’s Southwest Infection Prevention Team and Mentorship Program
A recent episode of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) podcast 5 Second Rule featured Southwest Regional Infection Preventionist Sheri Ives, highlighting her role as a VDH regional infection preventionist and infection prevention mentor.
New Project Firstline Micro-Learn Training Topic Available Now!
Last month, Project Firstline launched a new training resource, Infection Control Micro-Learns, to provide brief, on-the-job educational opportunities. Each micro-learn focuses on a single infection control topic and connects concepts to immediate, practical actions so healthcare workers can stop the spread of germs. Project Firstline has expanded the series with a new micro-learn training to help educate healthcare workers on what to do when they see a patient with a rash. A user guide, discussion guide, and ready-to-use job aid are included.
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Global Tuberculosis Institute at Rutgers University (GTBI)
The Global Tuberculosis Institute at Rutgers University (GTBI) is presenting a multi-part webinar series this Summer/Fall entitled “TB 101”. This webinar series is open to nurses, public health field staff, and other professionals who are new to TB and are involved in the care of patients at risk for or diagnosed with TB infection or disease and is designed to build upon the CDC’s TB Self-Study Modules and Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis.
More information, including a full calendar with topics and registration/connection information is available on the GTBI website.
 Join the Virginia Infection Prevention Training Center (VIPTC) on 7/26 at 12 PM ET for their Legionella Webinar! Featuring a panel of experts from VDH and VIPTC, who will discuss the best infection prevention practices for Legionella. No CE credit offered.
Sign up on Zoom.
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Making Connections
Clinician letter
This emailed letter is sent to all currently licensed healthcare professionals in the Commonwealth to communicate urgent updates. Access archived letters at Clinician Letters - Clinicians (virginia.gov)
Healthcare Professional Newsletter
This is a subscriber-based newsletter that is emailed monthly, focusing on issues of interest, therapeutics and COVID-19 updates and upcoming activities. Subscribe and access archived newsletters at Healthcare Professional Newsletter - Clinicians (virginia.gov)
Regional Infection Prevention Teams in Action
This quarterly newsletter spotlights the essential role and accomplishments of the VDH Regional Infection Preventionists. The first issue was published in May 2023.
Virginia Long-Term Care Clinician Network (LTC-CN)
The Virginia Long-Term Care Clinician Network (LTC-CN) brings together medical directors and clinicians practicing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other congregate care settings, such as Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Join the Virginia LTC Clinician Network now to receive monthly updates. Previous forum topics and slides and newsletters are available.
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