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July Event Calendar
Check out the VIPTA Event Calendar for more details and to register for events.
Events in July
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Featured Training Resource
⏱️Train Your Team's IP Eye: Quickly Rank That Risk!
Want a quick, hands-on way to boost your team’s infection prevention instincts? Rank That Risk! is a fast-paced training tool from the VDH IP Training Power Tools collection. It helps healthcare workers think like an IP by reviewing real-life infection control breaches and ranking them from highest to lowest risk.
What to Expect: The activity includes a facilitator guide and six location themed picture sets, so you can choose the version that best fits your setting. Each card sparks discussion, encourages critical thinking, and helps staff see risks from an IP perspective.
How to Use It: This tool works well in team huddles, safety rounds, or short in-service sessions. You can rotate different sets over time to keep it engaging.
Why It Works: It’s visual, fast, and interactive. This activity helps teams practice real-time decision making in a low-pressure environment.
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Image sourced from VDH HAI/AR Program
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Regulation & Guidance Updates |
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✅Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
✅Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Health Alert: Use Only Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures (5/13/2025)
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An ongoing multistate investigation involves the use of non-sterile ultrasound gel during ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures. An environmental bacterium Paraburkholderia fungorum has been identified from patient cultures and non-sterile ultrasound gel products.
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CDC recommends using only single-use ultrasound gel products labeled as "sterile" to reduce the risk of infection during ultrasonography for preparatory and procedural applications, including central and peripheral intravenous line placement, amniocentesis, paracentesis, tissue biopsies, and surgical interventions.
✅Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
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CMS published proposed rules for prospective payment systems and quality reporting programs for multiple healthcare facility types.
✅Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
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Clinician Letter: Updates on Measles and Syphilis in Virginia (6/10/2025)
- Measles and syphilis are both on the rise in Virginia. Clinicians are encouraged to stay alert for measles and help identify and reduce the spread of syphilis in Virginia.
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Cheers for Peers
✨ Celebrating Virginia's Infection Prevention Leaders at APIC 2025 Annual Conference
Congratulations to the incredible APIC Virginia members - and all attendees from our state - who represented Virginia with excellence at the APIC 2025 Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona! Their dedication to advancing infection prevention was on full display as they shared their expertise, innovative practices, and real-world insights with colleagues from around the world.
These presenters exemplify the spirit of collaboration and commitment to infection prevention and patient safety that defines our Virginia infection prevention community:
Karen McGoldrick, MT (ASCP), CIC, CHOP of Sentara Leigh Hospital – Presented on “Fridays @ 4” highlighting the critical role IPs play in emergency and outbreak responses. Karen was also part of the conference planning committee, and she moderated eight presentation sessions.
Sue Felber, LPN, AAS, CIC and Krista Byalik, BS, CIC of Sentara Health System – Shared findings from “Mentorship Adaptations When Team Structure, Experience and Geography Present Unique Barriers” focused on the importance of mentorship and tailored approach to new IP onboarding.
Maimuna Jatta, MSN, RN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC of Carilion Clinic – Delivered a session on “Transforming IPC Outcomes Through Strategic Staffing Expansion” discussing the value of the IPs and how resource allocation for IPC ensures both patient safety and financial stewardship. Maimuna was also named as a Fellow of APIC, joining a list of leaders in the field of infection prevention.
Abigal Cunanan, MS, MLS(ASCP), CPHQ, CIC of Inova Health System – Presented a poster on “Redefining Isolation Practices: Streamlining Discontinuation Protocols for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Multi-Hospital Health System” highlighting a protocol aimed to improve patient experience, reduce excessive personal protective equipment use, and expedite room turnover.
Kathleen Manchin, MPH, BSN, CIC of Carilion Clinic – Shared findings from “Engaging Travel Nurses to Improve Infection Prevention Bundle Compliance and HAI Reduction” focused on ensuring contract travel nurses follow and adhere to organization-specific infection prevention standards and practices.
Heather Gutierrez, MSI, BSN, RN, CIC of Riverside Health System – Delivered a poster on “Implementation of Copper Silver Ionization System to Control Legionella in a Community Hospital Water System” discussing innovation in healthcare focused on the use of copper silver ionization system in healthcare water system management.
Each speaker made us proud by contributing to the advancement of infection prevention and control practices not only in Virginia, but globally. Thank you to all the presenters and attendees who represented Virginia at APIC25. Your leadership and knowledge-sharing are vital to our profession and the health of our communities.
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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. |
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