Mpox.

On December 7th, CDC issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and health departments about the occurrence, geographic spread, and human-to-human transmission of Clade I Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The advisory contains recommendations about diagnosis, treatment and prevention, infection prevention and control, and diagnostic testing. 

• A VDH clinician letter issued on December 11th contains more recommendations as well as information on in-person mpox trainings for healthcare providers in January and February 2024.

On December 14th, CDC issued a health advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Coupled with ongoing increases in respiratory disease activity, these low vaccination rates could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain.

The health advisory provides recommendations about: 

• Administering influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations including a conversation guide to address potential barriers to vaccination 
• Antiviral treatment 
• Everyday preventive actions to protect against respiratory diseases 

Use the CDC conversation guide to aid discussions with patients about recommended immunizations.  

Check out the VDH Respiratory Disease Data webpage for Virginia specific data. 

NEW VDH COVID-19 Therapeutics webpage features the latest therapeutics updates, including:  

• Paxlovid orders  
• Patient assistance programs  
• Extended expiration dates  
• How to handle excess Paxlovid that was distributed by the U.S. Government  

Attention! New CMS Required Reporting Measure for CY 2024: NHSN AUR Module Submission Required for the CMS Promoting Interoperability Program.

In the fall of 2022, CMS published a final rule that moved the AUR Module reporting to a required measure under the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange objective for calendar year 2024. The AUR Surveillance Reporting measure requires that eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals are in active engagement with CDC to report both antimicrobial use (AU) and AR data and receive a report from NHSN indicating their successful submission of AUR data for the EHR reporting period or claim an applicable exclusion. Facility guidance can be found here: NHSN AUR Promoting Interoperability Guidance (cdc.gov). 

2024 Virginia Patient Safety Summit Registration Now Open!

Join the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) for a virtual summit: “Quadruple Aim: Innovation in Virginia Healthcare”. 

Quick Guides for Nursing Home Infection Preventionists.

VDH published additional resources for infection preventionists (IPs) in nursing homes (C. difficile, COVID-19, Infection Control Breaches, Linen Management, Wound Care) 

• Covers key concepts and action items on each topic, including how to educate residents and staff 
• Find the quick guides on the VDH Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings webpage (see “Hot Topics”). 

Check out some highlights from 2023, including the new CDC resources and trainings that were released this past year to support healthcare workers.  

Educational Resources and Reports 

• Project Firstline Educational Resources: Accessible educational materials that provide infection control information for healthcare workers. 
• Dialysis Vital Signs: A report highlighting bloodstream infections in people on dialysis and recommendations to help reduce inequities. 
• Vital Signs on Healthcare Provider Mental Health: A report highlighting the mental health crisis that healthcare workers are facing and recommendations for what can be done to better support them. 
• CDC IPC Core Practices: The core infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are fundamental standards for safe and high-quality patient care in all healthcare settings. 

Trainings and Courses 

• Project Firstline Micro-Learn Trainings: A five-part series of short, adaptable training resources for healthcare leaders to educate their staff to recognize infection risks and take action to stop the spread of germs. 
• Updated Antibiotic Stewardship Training Courses: A list of continuing education (CE) opportunities related to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship. 

Webinars 

• Sepsis Webinar Series: CDC and the American Medical Association (AMA) hosted a six-part webinar series to introduce the first-ever Sepsis Core Elements to U.S. hospital administrators and clinician leadership. 
• Infection Prevention and Control Post-COVID 19 Public Health Emergency Town Hall: Webinar featuring CDC officials reviewing the updated COVID-19 recommendations for healthcare facilities. 

• CDC and American Medical Association Fireside Chat: Webinar with CDC Director Dr. Cohen on ways you can protect yourself and your patients during the fall and winter respiratory virus season. 
• Antimicrobial Resistance Exchange: In 2023, the webinar series covered combating antimicrobial resistance through global networks and the role vaccines play in curbing antimicrobial resistance. 

• What diseases must be reported to the health department 
• Who is required to report 
• How the report should be shared 
• Access additional information such as the updated reportable disease list, laboratory reporting, outbreak reporting and more. 

Virginia Long-Term Care Clinician Network (LTC-CN). Join an organized network of medical directors, physicians, and advanced practice providers who work in long-term care facilities and other congregate care settings across Virginia with the purpose of sharing best clinical practices. 

• Monthly Newsletter: Receive a monthly newsletter that focuses on updates pertinent to long-term care in Virginia, including infection prevention guidelines, treatment options, and other updates. 
• Monthly Forum: Access to monthly virtual forums where issues can be discussed with a group of peers practicing in the same care setting. 
• Resources: Access to a central website with free resources.