|
Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) | Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) | United States (U.S.)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) |
|
📢 Hot Topics
💡CDC Alert: Use Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures
-
CDC has issued an alert about an ongoing multistate investigation of Paraburkholderia fungorum related to the improper use of non-sterile ultrasound gel for percutaneous procedures (e.g., placement of central and peripheral intravenous lines, amniocentesis, paracentesis, tissue biopsy, and surgical procedures).
-
To prevent infection risks during percutaneous ultrasound procedures:
-
Use only sterile labeled, single-use ultrasound gel products in preparation for or during percutaneous procedures.
-
Products labeled “bacteriostatic” or “preservative” without a clear sterile designation should be considered non-sterile.
-
Train personnel who perform ultrasounds and ultrasound-associated procedures on the appropriate use of ultrasound gel products.
-
For more information, refer to these ultrasound gel infection prevention recommendations.
💡New Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection Guidance
-
A new multisociety guide is now available for organizations and staff members who clean and sterilize medical equipment. This guide builds on earlier CDC recommendations and focuses on making sure medical tools are cleaned and sterilized the right way to keep patients safe.
💡Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Guidance Updates
-
Guide to Preventing Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CABSIs) in Adults - APIC has shared an updated guide to help prevent bloodstream infections caused by catheters and other devices used to access veins. This new guide encourages hospitals to watch for all CABSIs, not just those associated with central lines. It also highlights the most important steps to lower infection risks and improve patient safety.
-
Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Healthcare - This position paper provides updated evidence-based guidance on safe injection, infusion, vials, and point-of-care testing, including new recommendations on contrast injection, drug diversion, and personal protective equipment.
💡Position Paper Calls for Raising Expectations for Facility Infection Prevention and Control Programs
-
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) published a position paper advocating for raising the expectations for facility infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. These programs should be foundational and influential parts of the facility’s operational structure, resourced with the correct expertise and leadership, and prioritized to address all potential infectious harms.
💡Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Updates
-
CMS released revised guidance for nursing home surveyors to enhance quality and oversight of the survey process. Edits related to infection prevention and control addressed Enhanced Barrier Precautions and multidrug-related organism isolation. The document also included examples of deficiency categorizations related to COVID-19. Starting April 28, 2025, surveyors have used this guidance to evaluate compliance during surveys.
-
Proposed changes include technical updates to NHSN HAI measures, removal of COVID-19 healthcare personnel vaccination reporting measures, and removal of health equity measures.
-
CMS published proposed rules for prospective payment systems and quality reporting programs for multiple healthcare facility types:
📢 News in Virginia
💡Updates on Measles and Syphilis in Virginia
-
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.
-
VDH Recommendations for Clinicians:
-
Measles
-
Emphasize the importance of routine vaccination and adequate vaccination before travel.
-
Stay vigilant for cases of febrile rash consistent with measles, particularly in unvaccinated persons.
-
Isolate suspected cases with airborne precautions, promptly notify the local health department, and coordinate testing through the state public health department (DCLS).
-
Syphilis
-
Screen pregnant women at the first prenatal care visit, early in the third trimester, and at delivery.
-
Screen patients aged 15-44 who are sexually active and living in a county with high incidence of syphilis.
-
Consider prescribing doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis when clinically indicated.
-
Additional Information:
🪄APIC-VA & VDH Infection Preventionist Mentorship Program
We’re proud to celebrate the completion of the inaugural Infection Preventionist Mentorship Program cohort! With 94% of evaluators saying the program met their professional development goals and 100% satisfied with its overall quality, they've set a strong foundation for future growth. A heartfelt thank you to all the mentees and mentors who made Cohort 1 such a success!
Ready to join the next cohort?
-
Built for Busy Schedules: Just two hours per month for six months (September 2025-February 2026), with flexible meeting times to fit your routine.
-
Learn Together: Mentors and mentees grow through shared insights, real-world experience, and practical problem solving.
-
Earn CEs While You Learn: Participate in engaging education sessions and earn continuing education credits (CEs).
-
Register: Applications for cohort 2 close August 11, 2025.
|
|
|
📢 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
🔆Upcoming CMS HAI Reporting Deadline
-
The deadline to enter 2025 Q1 data into NHSN under CMS Quality Reporting Programs for participating acute care hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and cancer hospitals is August 15, 2025. To ensure data have been correctly entered into NHSN, please verify the following:
-
Monthly reporting plans are complete.
-
Appropriate summary and event data are entered or the appropriate “no events” boxes are checked.
-
All alerts from your NHSN facility homepage are cleared.
-
Hospitals that have conferred rights to VDH will be receiving a quality assurance report in August. Be sure to check your email, acknowledge receipt, and review. Please remember to update the VDH HAI/AR Program with any IP contact changes.
-
For additional guidance on ensuring your data are correctly sent to CMS for quality reporting purposes, please visit the NHSN website and navigate to the appropriate section(s) for your facility type.
🔆Patient Safety Component Annual Training
-
NHSN is thrilled to announce the NHSN Patient Safety Component (PSC) Annual Training, featuring a new and improved structure designed to enhance users’ learning experiences.
-
Schedule: July 10, July 15, and July 17, starting at 12 noon Eastern.
-
How to Join: Links for the week’s training will be emailed to NHSN users on the Monday of that week.
-
Questions: Participants with SAMS Access should use the Annual Training Community to submit questions. Participants without SAMS Access should email questions to NHSN@CDC.gov with the subject line, “2025 Annual Training.”
🔆NHSN Antimicrobial Use (AU) Data Report Now Available
-
The NHSN Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) and Statistics Teams have published the 2023 AU Option Data Report. This report summarizes the Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratio (SAAR) distributions and antimicrobial use within each SAAR antimicrobial agent category among adult, pediatric, and neonatal patient care locations.
-
Additionally, these data are posted on the Antibiotic Resistance & Patient Safety Portal Inpatient Antibiotic Use webpage. The portal highlights national AU Option data for 2023 and allows users to explore and visualize national- and state-level SAAR distributions from 2021-2023.
🔆Infectious Diseases of Public Health Concern Module is LIVE
-
New: On May 29th, Infectious Diseases of Public Health Concern (IDPHC) became available for optional reporting within the NHSN application. The IDPHC module allows hospitals to track the incidence and prevalence of prioritized infectious diseases affecting adult and pediatric patients in acute care hospitals.
-
Goal: Help support preparedness and response efforts related to high consequence infectious diseases and improve understanding of their impact on patients and healthcare systems.
-
Note: Voluntary reporting of these infectious diseases does not replace any regulator reporting requirements at the federal, state, or local levels.
🔆Charting the Course: 2022 NHSN HAI Rebaseline
-
Update: The NHSN team is updating the national baseline used to calculate all HAI standardized infection ratios (SIRs) and standardized utilization ratios (SURs) in the Patient Safety Component.
-
Additional Information: Visit NHSN 2022 HAI Rebaseline webpage, which includes resources to track the rebaseline progress, educational and analytical materials, and frequently asked questions.
-
SIR and SUR reports using the 2022 Rebaseline models are being added in phases.
-
New educational materials are posted regularly—check the webpage for updates.
|
|
📢 Training & Education
🆕 Latest Updates from the VDH HAI/AR Program
-
2025 Infection Prevention Education Roadshow – Roadshow is back with five in-person sessions across Virginia this summer! Hosted by the VDH HAI/AR Program, this no cost one-day event offers hands-on training and practical teaching strategies for those who educate healthcare workers.
-
Ideal for IPs, designated infection control officers (DICOs), and health educators building their toolkit, plus you’ll leave with a take-home bag of ready-to-use tools. This year’s Roadshow combines top lessons from the past two years with new, interactive content.
-
Feeling confident in the essentials? Stay tuned for our advanced educator series coming later this year!
-
More information and registration link available on the VDH HAI/AR News & Events page.
-
VDH Infection Prevention Training Power Tools – Check out this toolbox full of practical, evidence-based resources for delivering memorable infection prevention trainings. Whether you're leading a quick huddle or a full workshop, these tools are designed to help you engage frontline healthcare workers and strengthen infection prevention practices.
-
Available power tools include resources to practice hand hygiene and safe glove removal, reinforce best practices in using personal protective equipment, and think critically about infection prevention risks in healthcare settings.
-
Quick Guide for Nursing Home Infection Preventionists: Respiratory Care – a short resource covering the essentials that a busy IP needs to know about IPC practices related to respiratory care in the nursing home setting.
-
Infection Prevention and Control During Wound Care Procedures – This three-part video series is now available for registration on TRAIN Virginia. Those who complete all three parts of the blended learning series will receive a certificate of completion.
|
🆕Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
🆕Association for Dental Society (ADS)
-
Ask ADS – An artificial intelligence-powered assistant to answer questions about infection prevention, occupational health, or patient safety in dental settings. This resource is currently available for everyone; access will eventually be reserved for ADS members.
🆕Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
-
Outpatient Hemodialysis Health Department Training – a foundational training to familiarize public health staff in outpatient hemodialysis setting. This training will introduce dialysis facility layouts, staffing, and adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures so public health staff can effectively observe frontline staff. Register on CDC TRAIN.
-
Project Firstline / University of Nebraska's 90-Day Survival Guide - Comprehensive orientation resource for new IPs. Essential tools, tips, and strategies are presented in a 12-week syllabus to help new staff survive and thrive during the first three months on the job.
🆕National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center (NETEC)
-
Know Your PPE – comprehensive guide which covers the personal protective equipment (PPE) pieces and ensembles used in the care of patients with a high-consequence infectious disease.
🆕Virginia Infection Prevention Training Center (VIPTC)
-
New course: Infection Prevention & Control Strategies for Dental Facilities: Enhance infection prevention in dental settings with VIPTC’s expert-led course bundle! Learn best practices for environmental cleaning, high-level disinfection and sterilization, water safety, and antibiotic stewardship.
-
New education resources: Escape from the Deadly Pathogen: Download this free digital escape room to guide your clinical team through thrilling challenges to stop Candida auris and other multidrug-resistant organisms in their tracks.
-
Have you been enjoying VIPTC’s educational resources? To help measure the value of their work and advocate for future funding, we encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the VIPTC impact survey.
|
|
📢 Making Connections
✴️ Cuppa Tea with an IP. A weekly live chat with VDH infection preventionists (IPs) and experts to address your infection prevention and control questions. Register once to attend any session as needed.
✴️ Vitamin IPC. Subscribe to the monthly Vitamin IPC bulletin by VIPTA for essential resources and access to events to enhance frontline healthcare personnel’s infection prevention and control training.
✴️ Clinician Letter. This letter is emailed to all currently licensed healthcare professionals in the Commonwealth to communicate important updates. Access archived letters at Clinician Letters - Clinicians (virginia.gov)
|
|
We want to hear from you!
Connect with us by visiting our website or email us at hai@vdh.virginia.gov.
Get Updates!
Sign up for news from the HAI/AR Program, including newsletter publications here!
|
|
|
|
|
