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Monkeypox (MPV) Resources and Guidance
Monkeypox virus (MPV) infection can cause an illness that includes rashes and other symptoms. It does not commonly occur in the United States, but there is currently an outbreak of MPV with cases spreading in Washington state and across the country, as well as in other countries. MPV can spread person-to-person with any kind of close, skin-to-skin contact, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Anyone can get MPV. MPV can also spread between animals and from animals to people.
Learn more about Monkeypox virus on our webpage.
Current CDC Guidance
Human-to-human transmission of Monkeypox virus occurs by direct contact with lesion material or from exposure to respiratory secretions. Reports of human-to-human transmission describe close contact with an infectious person. Transmission in healthcare settings has been rarely described.
Infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare settings are provided in the Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (2007). Recommendations and practices described in this 2007 guideline are intended to be used when providing care for any patient in a healthcare setting, including those with Monkeypox infection. Additional supporting infection prevention and control information is provided below.
If a staff member, volunteer, or resident of a congregate living setting has a Monkeypox virus infection, transmission could occur within the setting. For the purposes of this document, congregate living settings are facilities or other housing where people who are not related reside in close proximity and share at least one common room (e.g., sleeping room, kitchen, bathroom, living room). Congregate living settings can include correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters, group homes, dormitories at institutes of higher education, seasonal worker housing, residential substance use treatment facilities, and other similar settings. These settings may provide personal care services but are not traditional healthcare settings (e.g. hospitals). If healthcare services are provided on site, they are usually provided in specific healthcare areas or by outside healthcare personnel (e.g., home health care workers). In these circumstances, healthcare personnel should follow recommendations in Infection Control: Healthcare Settings | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC.
LHJ Funding Opportunity
LHJs: HAI/AR grant application now open
The Washington State Department of Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections / Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) program launched a request for applications for additional funding to support programs of local health jurisdiction and COVID-19 prevention and response activities. Three funding opportunities are available through the Strengthening HAI/AR Program Capacity (SHARP) grant and Nursing Home & Long-term Care Facilities Strike Teams (NH Strike Teams) grant.
The funding will support local health jurisdictions (LHJs) in their development and implementation of HAI/AR programs, if not already established. The funding could also be used to help increase capacity for more community projects and collaborations in jurisdictions with existing HAI/AR programs, as well as COVID-19 prevention and response activities in skilled and non-skilled nursing facilities.
If you have any questions or comments, email our grants and contracts specialist, Samantha Delmer.
Respiratory Protection
The DOH Occupational Health Team will be hosting monthly 30 minute, Lunch & Learn sessions on specific respiratory protection topics. The first Lunch & Learn will be on August 17, 2022, starting promptly at 12:05pm. Bring your topic questions to the Lunch & Learn or email them ahead of time to HAI-FitTest@doh.wa.gov.
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August 17 – What makes a good RPA (Respirator Program Administrator)?
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September 21 – Tips on Using the 3M System for Medical Evaluations
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October 19 – Medical Evaluation Referrals
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November 16 – Respirator Job Accommodations
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December 21 – Recordkeeping
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January 18, 2023 – Fit Testing Tips
For more information contact Stella Daniels, Occupational Health Team Supervisor.
Applications Open for the New LTC Certification Exam
CBIC is now accepting applications for the Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) beta test examination!
The LTC-CIP is the first certification to specifically measure competencies necessary to protect long-term care residents from infection. Successful long-term care infection prevention certification indicates competence in the current basic knowledge needed for persons practicing infection prevention and control within a long-term care setting.
Before the LTC-CIP is officially released, CBIC needs your help in beta testing the examination. Beta testing is conducted to collect data and evaluate the performance of newly developed examination items. Candidates who participate in the beta examination will be offered a reduced application fee of $275.
The beta test application will close on October 3, 2022, with the beta testing period taking place September 15, 2022–October 15, 2022. The examination will be offered at Prometric testing centers worldwide or can be taken at home via Prometric’s live remote proctoring platform. At the conclusion of the beta test, the passing standard will be created and validated by a panel of qualified subject matter experts. Results from the beta test will be released in early January 2023.
Between October 16, 2022–January 31, 2023, the long-term care certification examination will not be available. The exam will reopen for regular testing in early February 2023.
To be eligible to take the long-term care exam, you must meet ALL the following requirements at the time of application:
- Completed post-secondary education in a health-related field including but not limited to medicine, nursing degree/nursing diploma, laboratory technology, public health, or biology. Post-secondary includes public or private universities, colleges, community colleges etc.
- Responsibility for the infection prevention and control programs/activities in a long-term care setting. Candidates will fill out an attestation form confirming this information.
Eligible for the LTC-CIP and interested in applying for the beta test? Apply online today. Questions? Please view our FAQs page or contact us.
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ICAR Quarterly Metrics
![2nd Qtr 2022 ICAR report](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOH/2022/07/6198975/4254916/dchs-icar-2021-q4-report-final_crop.jpg)
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