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CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff and Management
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff and Management is a great resource for nursing home staff to put the latest information regarding infection control, COVID-19 preparedness, resident-centered care, vaccine distribution and other important topics into practice.
The User Guide provides step-by-step instructions to access the free, on-demand trainings. The Group Facilitator's Guide contains everything you need to train your staff as a team. Certificates of completion are available for all learners. Need Spanish Language Resources to train your team? Project Firstline offers infection prevention training facilitation guides and materials in Spanish.
Decision Tool for Investigating Group A Streptococcus Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities
Did you know…Long term care facility (LTCF) residents have 3-8 times higher incidence of invasive group A Strep infection and are 1.5 times more likely to die from their infection than those living in the community. Given the potential to prevent cases, even one invasive case should prompt an epidemiological investigation by the facility’s infection control personnel. Review Center for Disease Control’s Decision Tool for Investigating Group A Streptococcus Infections in Long-term Care Facilities to be prepared to improve resident safety.
NEW! Visitor Isolation Education Documents
The Visiting Patients with Infectious Diseases handout is intended for people visiting patients in precaution rooms. It provides information about each type of transmission-based precaution. The handout directs visitors to check with staff before visiting a patient in precautions, explains what type of PPE (personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns or eye protection) is indicated and offers additional information to avoid the spread of an infectious disease.
The Guide for Visiting Patients in Precaution Rooms handout is intended for people visiting patients who are in precaution rooms. It provides information on standard and transmission-based precautions. The handout explains how visitors can prevent the spread of an infectious disease while visiting through actions including hand hygiene, avoiding visiting when ill, and checking with staff before entering a room with a precautions sign.
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Infection Prevention and Control |
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Sharing IPC Successes!
June marks the month of conferences, an excellent opportunity to share Washington’s hard work with facilities, local health jurisdictions and professional associations to improve Infection Prevention and Control practices and policies. Washington continues to be an IPC leader! We were able to present on three topics and display one poster at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology conference and conduct one presentation at the Association for Dental Safety conference this year. We are so proud of our staff and partners for sharing the work to the larger community of Infection Prevention and Control.
2024 Association for Professionals in infection Control and Epidemiology Conference (APIC)
Impact of ICAR Consultation on Citation Frequency in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Presenter: Katelyn Anderson, RN, BSN, CIC
Co-Presenter: Miriam Mina, RN, BSN, MPA
Miriam and Katelyn presented on goals of Washington State infection control assessment and response (ICAR) consultations in preventing the spread of infectious disease in skilled nursing facilities and shared the most common reasons why skilled nursing facilities in Washington State receive F880 citations. Data was shared to show the relationship between non-regulatory ICAR consultations and F880 citations in skilled nursing facilities.
Empowering Small Hospitals: Public Health's Role in Supporting Antimicrobial Stewardship
Presenter: Jessica Zering, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS, CAPM
Co-Presenter: Lisa R. Hannah, RN, BS, CIC
The team shared strategies to overcome common barriers, discussed advantages and shared opportunities for public health to support an antimicrobial stewardship program within a critical access hospital.
Collaboration Is Key! Dental Infection Prevention Education in Rural Ambulatory Settings
Presenter: Lisa R. Hannah, RN, BS, CIC
Lisa presented on the work she and her team has done working with Dental Infection Preventionists in rural, Washington state and shared information on the development of an infection prevention training program and how collaboration with dental hygiene skills training labs enhanced the educational experience for the learners.
An Ounce of Prevention to Prepare Adult Family Home Owners for Future Epidemics
Presenter: Sydney Record, DNP, RN, CIC
Sydney Record presented her poster on the project she and in partnership with Clark County staff, and additional DOH CD-HAI have been working on. Staff Residents and staff in adult family homes (AFH) in Washington state remain vulnerable to the impacts of disease outbreaks, especially larger ones classified as epidemics. In Washington, AFHs must apply the same infection control measures as larger healthcare facilities but lack resources to do so. This workgroup sought to engage with AFH owners in an equitable way to determine what epidemic preparedness tools and information would be most useful to them. This workgroup determined that AFH owners are interested in continuous engagement with their LHJ and DOH. This work has resulted in an epidemic preparedness tool that incorporates elements of outbreak management, in plain language, and shared with AFHs across Washington state.
2024 Association for Dental Safety Conference
Public Health: Joining Forces with Dental Infection Prevention
Presenter: Lisa R. Hannah, RN, BS, CIC
Educating Infection Preventionists (IPs) in the dental field can be a challenge. The table talk and poster presented at the Association for Dental Safety (formerly OSAP) in Tucson, Arizona showcased an example of how Washington State Department of Health HAI-AR program developed a successful training plan aimed at increasing the knowledge of Infection Preventionists working in the dental field in rural Washington State. This initiative expanded the ability to train IPs, often from various healthcare backgrounds, located across a large geographic area by utilizing existing resources and technology to limit travel. Collaboration between WA DOH and existing healthcare partners has promoted and supported evidenced-based infection control education in settings where dentistry is provided. While we originally planned to increase the dental IPC knowledge within our HAI team, the second cohort has expanded to include staff from local public health, critical access hospitals, rural health, and ambulatory settings.
Schedule your next ICAR!
Visit our website to schedule your next Infection Prevention and Control support service through our ICAR button!
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Antimicrobial Stewardship |
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Resources for All Antimicrobial Stewards
New from WA DOH: The 2023 Annual Antimicrobial Stewardship Report
This inaugural annual report provides an overview of the efforts undertaken during 2023 by this team and shares results of several data analyses.
Acute Care Stewardship Resources
New from CDC: Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation
To continue enhancing hospital antibiotic stewardship programs, CDC has released Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation (Priorities) in 2022 to help enhance the quality and impact of existing antibiotic stewardship programs.
Long-Term Care Stewardship Resources
Free Resident Communication CE for Nurses and Medical Assistants
This activity is designed to improve communication skills around antibiotic use to help avoid inappropriate prescribing. The activity offers free CE credits for both nurses and medical assistants and is based on the CDC’s 4-part Communication Strategy. Find out more and enroll!
New Publication from WA DOH's Stewardship Team: Urine PCR Testing
Little is known about the place of this testing and its potential impact on antimicrobial stewardship programs. In this commentary published in the Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology journal, we review the currently available literature and provide recommendations for long-term care stewardship programs to consider.
Urine PCR Guidance Document for Long-Term Care Facilities
Urine polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) laboratory testing has been promoted to clinicians as an alternative method of obtaining urine cultures. Due to the high prevalence and overuse of antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in the post-acute and long-term care population, a guidance document on the topic of PCR urine testing is provided to ensure safety.
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Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Influenza Vaccination by Healthcare Setting
Several healthcare settings are required to report influenza summary data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). This includes documented vaccinations, contraindications, and informed declination rates for all employees, volunteers, contracted and licensed independent providers from acute care hospitals (ACHs), critical access hospitals (CAHs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs), and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). The graphs below show HCP vaccination rates in these facilities, with IRFs, IPFs, and LTACHs grouped in the Other category. These vaccination data should be interpreted with caution, as they are self-reported and unvalidated.
Percent of HCPs who Received Flu Vaccine in Each Healthcare Type
The graphs below show the overall HCP influenza vaccination rate in each of the healthcare settings. The graphs also show the number of facilities included in that category and the number of HCP employed.
 All HCP flu vaccination rates were highest in ACHs, closely followed by CAHs. ACHs are the most common healthcare setting included in this analysis, with 52 facilities. Over 140,000 HCP are employed by the 52 ACHs in Washington. Other healthcare settings, which includes IRFs, IPFs, and LTACHs, have the lowest overall HCP vaccination rate of 61% among their 2,700 employees.
Percent of Different HCPs Types who Received Flu Vaccine in Each Healthcare Type
The graph below shows vaccination rates in different healthcare settings, broken down by HCP type. This includes Adult Students/Trainees and Volunteers, Employees, and Licensed Independent Providers.
 Vaccination rates are highest for employees in all settings, very closely followed by Adult Students/Trainees and Volunteers. Rates are lowest for licensed independent providers in all settings.
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NEW Module: Enhanced Barrier Precautions!
We have officially released our newest module on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). This module covers EBP basics to help train frontline healthcare workers, especially those in skilled nursing and nursing homes.
This module is not part of our six-module training series meaning, continuing education credits are not available. Find out more about our easily accessible and quick infection prevention training series and start learning today! These modules take about 20 minutes per module and the first six qualify for two continuing education credits.
Join Our Next Cohort of Infection Prevention (IP) Champions!
Applications for our fourth cohort of our IP Champions program are now open until August 2nd, 2024. Classes will start the second week of September and run through August 2025.
IP Champions is a year-long program building IP competency for new professionals to the HAI/AR and IP field. This program is for HAI/AR and IP professionals in Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) and acute care settings. Find out more!
Don’t Forget to Sign Up for Our Weekly (free) Text Messages!
Wondering how you can provide (and receive) IPC education in a quick and accessible manner? We have your answer: free weekly text messages. Text "JoinWAIPC" to 59309 (or scan the QR code) for timely infection prevention updates and resources. Make sure to have all your healthcare worker friends and colleagues sign-up to join in on the important resources!
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Training Programs- Become A Frontline Infection Prevention Champion!
The WA DOH is providing the Frontline IP Champion opportunity to facilities AND training programs! When a healthcare provider training program or healthcare facility implements the Project Firstline online IP Training Modules and other Project Firstline education and training materials into their curriculum or training, they will be featured on our website and receive a certificate.
Check out the training programs who have implemented the Project Firstline modules and resources on our website!
Involve your facility or training program today!
Go to our website for more WA Project Firstline information and resources!
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N95 Respirator Use Consultation Support
Do you have questions about using the N95 or the rules and regulations? Join us to get your answers!
Visit our website for more information or send us an email!
NOTE: The Occupational Health Team consultation support will change starting August 1, 2024.
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National Healthcare and Safety Network (NHSN) |
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Bimonthly NHSN User Group for Hospitals
Join us for the NHSN Hospital User Group calls. We will host these calls every other month. Please register in advance for this call series. Upcoming meetings are as follows.
- Jul 9, 2024 10:30 AM
- Sep 10, 2024 10:30 AM
- Nov 12, 2024 10:30 AM
Please reach out to the NHSN Epi Team if you have any questions or have topic ideas for any of the calls.
Monthly Long-Term Care NHSN User Group
You are invited to register for the monthly NHSN skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) forum to share and, collaborate, improve reporting accuracy, and increase user knowledge. Calls are scheduled for the second Thursday of the month, 11:00 a.m. –noon. Upcoming meetings are as follows:
- July 11, 2024
- August 8, 2024
- September 12, 2024
- October 10, 2024
Please reach out to the NHSN Epi Team for more information.
NHSN Support Services for SNFs
For a more comprehensive list of NHSN support options the HAI Epi Team can provide to skilled nursing facilities, see the NHSN Support and Technical Assistance for Skilled Nursing Facilities flyer.
NHSN Reporting Updates and Trainings
Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Up-To-Date Definition
On April 1, 2024, the Up-to-Date Definition changed in NHSN for reporting weekly resident and staff COVID-19 vaccinations. Individuals aged 65 years and older are up to date when they have received 2 doses of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine or received 1 dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine in the past 4 months.
Individuals aged less than 65 years continue to be up to date when they have received 1 dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
Be sure to report accurate counts in NHSN and review training slides.
NHSN Epidemiology Email
The NHSN Epidemiology Team has a dedicated inbox. Please email NHSNepi@doh.wa.gov for any NHSN related questions, issues, or concerns. This will allow our team to respond to your message in a timely manner.
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Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) |
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Puget Sound Chapter
The Puget Sound Region APIC chapter meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from noon to 2:00 p.m.
- We review important legislative updates, IPC news, and educational opportunities.
- Journal club and round table discussions keep IPs up-to-date on recent activity in the IPC field, as well as connect with local IPs.
Register in advance for meetings. Links to registration sites can be found on our social media and website a few weeks prior.
APIC Podcasts:
AJIC Monthly Podcast
New Episode:
Recent Episodes:
Tune in the first Thursday of each month for new episodes.
APIC Monthly 5 Second Rule Podcast
Recent Episodes:
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WA DOH Influenza Update for Week 20 now available!
The weekly summary is available.
State Summary
- Influenza-like illness activity was minimal during week 20.
- To date, 121 lab-confirmed influenza deaths have been reported for the 2023-2024 season.
- To date, 83 influenza-like illness outbreaks in long term care facilities have been reported for the 2023-2024 season.
- During week 20, 1.2 percent of visits among Influenza-like Illness Network (ILINet) participants were for influenza-like illness, which was below the baseline of 1.9 percent.
- During week 20, 3.1 percent of specimens tested by WHO and NREVSS collaborating laboratories in Washington were positive for influenza.
- Influenza A and Influenza B were reported to the ILINet surveillance system during week 20.
The Washington State Department of Health Influenza Update reports will be produced monthly for weeks 21-39 this summer and will resume a weekly reporting cadence beginning on week 40 this fall.
Historic influenza reports
DOH creates influenza reports for healthcare providers and public health including:
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 TB Rulemaking and Community Partner Engagement
A Dear Provider letter is now available.
Draft language WAC 388-101-3020 and New Section WAC 388-101-30201
After two previous internal and external document review periods, the final draft language for amending WAC 388-101-3020 Compliance, and for a new section of Chapter 388-101 WAC Infection control are attached. We are asking for internal and external stakeholders to review prior to the proposed language being submitted for rule making (CR-102).
Please submit all comments to Debra Hoeman. Deadline for comments is June 30, 2024.
State Civil Penalty Reimbursement Program Application Period Opens June 1
A Dear Provider letter is now available.
 The Long Road: LTACHs and IPC Challenges
In this episode of Stories of Care, host Megan Srinivas, MD, MPH talks with James Lewis, MD, a health officer with the Snohomish County Health Department. Dr Lewis underscores the importance of communication and collaboration in infection prevention across health care settings, especially long-term care acute care hospitals. Dr Lewis also emphasizes the significance of building relationships, continuous dialogue, and advocating for resources to strengthen infection prevention practices within long-term care facilities.
 CORHA Guidance on Medical Product Investigations
The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens (CORHA) recently published guidance on medical product investigations. This resource outlines general principles for responding to medical product contamination events and includes detection and reporting guidelines, examples of contamination events, assessment questions to guide investigations, and other helpful resources.
Join the CORHA mailing list for updates on new CORHA products, resources, news and more! Subscribe today!
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