NACCHO Healthcare IPC Summit Resource Library

Summit Overview

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Summit aims to foster collaboration among local, state, territorial, and tribal health departments, as well as partners from across the nation. The Summit, supported by CDC's Project Firstline, provides participants the opportunity to connect, share valuable insights, and explore innovative approaches between public health, healthcare, and community partner networks to advance the implementation of IPC in healthcare settings. To learn more about the Summit, visit our announcement blog post here.

Below are resources for the Summit, to be held May 7-9, 2024. You can follow along with the program schedule here.

** Please note resources are being added on an ongoing basis. **

Session Title Time Description Speaker(s)
Main Session: Summit Welcome 9am-9:15am Join NACCHO's Senior Advisor for Programs and NACCHO's Infectious Disease Director to kick off the 2024 Healthcare Infection Prevention & Control Summit. At this inaugural core session, expect to gain insight into how the next three meaningful days at the Summit can support you on your journey to equip, collaborate, and innovate for healthcare infection prevention and control (IPC) success. Sara Black, MPA, MSW; Christina Baum, MPH; Anne Valik, MPH
Main Session: IPC Basics 9:15am-9:45am The Training Infection Prevention through Simulation (TIPS) team from the University of Washington presents an infection prevention and control level-setting session to launch Summit learning. The TIPS team reinforces IPC basics by discussing standard precaution guidelines and how germs are spread. This session also covers the 3 I's (Identify, Isolate, Inform) and explains how healthcare workers can and should assess and mitigate risk. Colleen Farrell; Laura Flood, RN, IP; Dr. Ylinne Lynch, MD, MS, Dr. Liza Rosenman, MD; Megan Sherman, MAEdHD
Breakout Lecture: Leveraging Data to Support Infection Preventionists: Insights and Strategic Priorities from a Comprehensive Needs Assessment 11am-12pm This presentation outlines the results of a needs assessment aimed at addressing specific needs, concerns, and strengths of infection preventionists. It also highlights priority areas within IPC, fostering opportunities for collaboration among healthcare professionals and institutions. Dr. Amy Encinger, PhD
Breakout Microburst: Building Strategy, Capacity, and Engagement: Implementation in Practice 11am-12pm Join experts from Illinois, Connecticut, and California to gain valuable insight into designing and executing effective IPC strategies for enhancing healthcare safety in your jursidiction. Marco Marquez, MPH, CIC; Megan Westcott, MPH; Shane Zelencik, MPH, CIC, FAPIC
Breakout Panel: Integrating Data and Collaboration for Enhanced Outbreak Response: Insights from CORHA and PHIL 11am-12pm Join us for an engaging panel discussion with experts from the Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (CORHA) and Public Health lnstitute's Population Health Innovation Lab (PHIL). This session explores the critical role of data standardization, data use, and strategic collaboration in enhancing outbreak responses. Panelists highlight PHIL's insights on LHD data usage and CORHA's frameworks for outbreak notification and data sharing. The integration of PHIL's equity framework with CORHA's standardized variables showcases a prime example of inter-organizational synergy. Expect a dynamic exchange of ideas and practical takeaways that aim to improve public health strategies and outcomes. Seun Aluko, MPH; Dr. Stephanie Bultema, PhD; Moon Kim, MD, MPH; Dr. Dawn Terashita, MD, MPH; Christina Baum, MPH
Breakout Panel: Partnerships between Healthcare Workers and LDHs during Outbreaks and Cluster Investigations 11am-12pm This session focuses on sharing lessons learned from collaboration between healthcare facilities and public health departments (PHO) during outbreaks and investigations of public health concern. Panelists from acute care hospitals and long term care facilities discuss how infection preventionists in these settings can collaborate with LHDs, and ways this partnership can be improved for better patient outcomes. Mirza Ali; Grace Barajas, MHA, M(ASCP)CM, CIC, FAPIC; Kelli Gkigkinis, RN; Dorothy McDonald, RN, MSN, MBA; Cristina Rodriguez, RN; Maria Campos-Boveer, MPH
Breakout Interactive: IPC in Action 11am-12pm The Training Infection Prevention through Simulation (TIPS) team from the University of Washington presents an interactive IPC breakout session focusing on the use of experiential learning while teaching key IPC principles including risk assessment and mitigation. Participants can discover innovative ways to engage their learners and teach IPC topics in a new and effective way. Laura Flood, RN; Dr. Liza Rosenman, MD; Dr. Ylinne Lynch, MD, MS
Main Session: Health Equity and Roles in the Healthcare 1:30pm-2:30pm This panel session brings together experts from the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF}, Health Quality Innovators (HQI), the Minnesota Department of Health, and Salud America, to discuss their IPC health equity initiatives and commitment to bringing Project Firstline training to diverse communities. Panelists share their early approaches, key partnerships, and the promotions crucial to elevating equity strategies. Speakers also discuss how their approaches to IPC has changed over time to better serve their communities during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Romeo De Vera, PhD, MSN; Alyssa Gonzalez; Lily Shen, MIA; Caramae Steinwand; Jennifer Chenault-Walker, MBA
Breakout Lecture: Mpox Outbreak Management: Implications and Lessons Learned 2:45pm-3:45pm This presentation summarizes the Chicago Department of Public Health's response to a 2022 mpox outbreak within the region. The discussion reflects on work that was done to build a process to manage a novel pathogen, including case identification and tracking, coordination with healthcare facilities, and leveraging IPC practices to prevent transmission. It also explores tools, strategies, and lessons learned from CDPH's mpox experience. Shane Zelencik, MPH, CIC, FAPIC
Breakout Lecture: Essential Skills for Building and Maintaining Relationships in IPC 2:45pm-3:45pm This workshop provides an overview of the Essential Skill Training Series and the importance of building collaborative relationships in IPC. These essential skills expand upon areas of equity-focused cultural competency, building an environment conducive to building relationships, improving emotional intelligence and communication, and fostering and maintaining collaboration. As well as providing background on these essential skills and how they were identified, this session features opportunities to take part in some of the skill-building activities from the series. Beatriz Reyes, MPA
Breakout Interactive: Building a Local Health Department HAI/AR Staff Competency & Training Workbook 2:45pm-3:45pm This interactive session begins by describing the Local Health Department HAI/AR Staff Competency & Training Workbook, a new customizable tool kit being developed by WE Public Health in partnership with NACCHO. This workbook outlines 1O competency domains that health departments use to carry out HAI/AR activitities n their community. Each domain describes the role of LHDs alongside their associated staff skills, knowledge, attributes, and relevant competencies, plus knowledge-check questions and curated resources. Session participants are invited to join breakout groups to review and provide feedback on the workbook. Attendees with all levels of experience and knowledge of HAI/AR activities within LHDs are welcome! Brianna Graham, MPH, CPH; Nicole Harty, MPH
Breakout Lecture: Foundations of Health Equity 2:45pm-3:45pm This session invites you to develop foundational knowledge around health equity and social justice. This includes delving into the root causes, the urgency and realities of health inequity and its connection to social and economic injustice, and the history of public health's advances as intertwined with social reform. Concepts are defined and discussed within the contexts on infection prevention and control. Attendees can also learn about resources from NACCHO to dismantle social and structural drivers of health inequity within their communities. Charlse Udeze
Breakout Panel: Exploring Indigenous Perspectives on IPC: Inquiry and Insight 2:45pm-3:45pm This session delves into the pivotal roles played by the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) in Project Firstline. These organizations help frontline healthcare workers in the Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban (1/T/U) facilities understand and apply infection prevention and control practices. Their contributions have significantly improved the facility's and community's ability to fight infectious disease threats, such as COVID-19 and other HAIs. NCUIH and NIHB, as partners of Project Firstline, share their reflections, lessons learned, and accomplishments, and present the infection control education materials they have developed. Zoe Harris, MPH, PhD(c); Alyssa Longee, MPH, RN; Evelina Maha, MAdm, Dine' (Navajo); Audrianna Marzette, MS; Tyrone Peterson, MPH
Plenary: Chicago's Urban Historian: Everything Dope about America Comes from Chicago 4:15pm-5pm Join viral Chicago historian Dilla for an exploration of the historical policies and events that have shaped Chicago's public health and equity outlook. From historical Chicago to today, learn about the city's unique public health landscape, reflect upon its social and cultural evolutions, and challenge stereotypes through storytelling. Shermann "Dilla" Thomas
Session Title Time Description Speaker(s)
Keynote: Thriving, Not Just Surviving 9am-10:45am Join Chicago Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and CDC Branch Chief of Health S stems to open Summit Day 2. This session provides insights and tips to help the public health workforce thrive me tally, professionally, and politically. In the face of the post-COVID funding cliff, intractable health inequities, widespread distrust of government and healthcare, and extensive burnout, public health professionals need new approaches to engage diverse stakeholders, healthcare partners, and their communities. This session addresses how public health practitioners can sustain their motivation and protect their mental health by managing expectations for the pace of progress in public health. Dr. Olusimbo lge, MD, MS, MPH; Dr. Amy Kolwaite, PhD, ARNP, MPH
Breakout Lecture: The Project Firstline Escape Room and Other IPC Education and Communication Tools 10:30am-11:30am Explore the collaborative efforts of the Project Firstline New Jersey Team from the New Jersey Department of Health in this presentation of a unique health education product, an escape room developed in partnership with nationwide Project Firstline jurisdictions. This insightful session delves into effective IPC communication methods, including the utilization of social media messaging and the implementation of NJDOH PFL's IPC Tips of the Week campaign. Discover practical strategies for enhancing IPC practices and promoting public health awareness through innovative communication approaches. Join us for an informative discussion at the forefront of IPC education and communication initiatives. Kelly McLaughlin, MPH, MCHES®
Breakout Microburst: Talking about the Parts of Partnership: Partnership Development 10:30am-11:30am Join experts from Virginia, Illinois, and Nebraska to gain valuable insights into programmatic examples, tools, and resources to strengthen your department's partnership and outreach efforts: APIC Consulting share their experience using their reliable, enduring, and effective relationships. Nancy Esch, MPH, RN, IBCLC; Carrie Harter, MPH, CIC; Kathryn Hitchcock, MBA; Zachary Noffsinger, MPH, CIC
Breakout Interactive: Optimizing Engagement through Adult Learning Strategies 10:30am-11:30am The Training Infection Prevention through Simulation (TIPS) team with the University of Washington presents an Introduction to Adult Learning session, highlighting core principles of teaching to adults and developing goals and objectives for facilitation. They describe the concept of resistance and the importance of "ownership." Through interactive activities and engaging material, participants will walk away feeling more confident in preparing educational content. Colleen Farrell; Megan Sherman, MAEdHD
Breakout Panel: With a Little Help from My Friends: Illinois State and Local Partnerships 10:30am-11:30am State and local partnerships are fundamental to the CDC Local Health Department HAI/AR Strategy. This panel explores the vital relationship between state and local health departments, and reflects on panelists' experiences navigating this relationship-building, level-setting, and communication and coordination. Panelists will share their partnership development strategies on prevention planning, surveillance, data sharing, IPC training, outbreak response, and more. Kelley Donley, RN; Elizabeth Murphy, MPH; Dr. Caroline Soyemi, DNP, MSN, RN, HFSN; Dr. Hillary Spencer MD, MPH; Kelly Wallblay, MPH
Breakout Interactive: Partnership Mapping: Exploring the Healthcare IPC Ecosystem 10:30am-11:30am Strong partnerships are essential to the implementation of healthcare IPC, but it's not always easy to identify which partners to engage or how they might contribute to IPC success. Join us as we map the ecosystem of contributors to the healthcare IPC process, while interactively exploring ways to increase engagement among partners to collaboratively advance positive IPC outcomes. Jenny Bogard, MPH
Main Session: CDC Interim Strategy for Local Health Departments on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and Antibiotic Resistance (AR): Insights from Implementation 1pm-2pm This panel delves into the CDC's Interim Strategy for Local Health Departments on Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antibiotic Resistance. Explore real-world successes, lessons learned, and the importance of partnerships in implementing this vital strategy nationwide. Discover best practices for enhancing capacity, training teams, and engaging communities to drive successful implementation. This session offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies for combating HAI and AR at the local level. Dr. Gregory Danyluk, PhD, MPH, MS; Kelley Donley, RN; Amanda Hubbard, MSN, RN; Candice Young
Breakout Lecture: Infection Prevention Assessments: Maximizing Your On-Site Impact 2:15pm-3:15pm Dive into lessons learned from infection prevention assessments in Los Angeles County long-term care facilities, and explore methods to improve on-site infection prevention assessments. From the flow of on-site visits to structuring infection prevention recommendations, come away with new ideas to adapt multiple elements to your organization's infection prevention assessment workflow. Krystal Smith, MS, CIC
Breakout Lecture: Using the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Health Departments to Expand State and Local Health Department Stewardship Activities 2:15pm-3:15pm Ensuring appropriate antibiotic use is one of CDC's core strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic stewardship can optimize the treatment of infections and improve equitable access to high quality health care. Learn how state and local health department antibiotic stewardship programs (SLHD-ASPs) play an important role in supporting antibiotic stewardship efforts across various healthcare settings and promoting appropriate antibiotic use in their communities. This session discusses CDC's Office of Antibiotic Stewardship adaptation of the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship framework for health department audiences, to identify stewardship activities that are feasible, impactful, and sustainable. Discover more about the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Health Departments, an implementation guide for establishing and enhancing SLHD-ASPs at the state and local levels, outlining the structure of SLHD-ASPs, and providing recommended stewardship implementation activities based on experiences of successful programs. Dr. Estrella Cervantes, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP; Dr. Melinda Neuhauser, PharmD, MPH, FCCP, FASHP, FIDP
Breakout Lecture: Infection Control Training and Education: How to Make it Count 2:15pm-3:15pm Opportunities to deliver infection control training and education allow the educator to reach an audience through innovative and creative avenues. By implementing varying approaches to education delivery, audiences remain engaged and learn IPC best practices while having fun. Join the South Dakota Project Firstline team as they explore how to utilize PFL resources and tools to grab the attention of those they train. The session also identifies common areas of IPC risks that have been discovered in proactive ICARs. Presenters discuss opportunities to share these findings with facilities across your jurisdiction and provide ideas on areas of a facility you can look at with "new eyes." Jess Danko, MSHA, RRT, LTC-CIP; Rebecca Sime, RN
Breakout Panel: Effectively Communicating Infection Control to Healthcare Workers 2:15pm-3:15pm In this panel, learn how to develop effective strategies to communicate infection control to healthcare workers on the frontline. Panelists from CDC share communication best practices and give an overview of Project Firstline's approach to education, communication, and training; provide an overview of findings from Project Firstline's formative research with healthcare workers and explain how those results have informed communication strategy and the development of Project Firstline resources; and discuss communication strategy in practice at the jurisdictional level. Jennifer Chenault-Walker, MBA; Dr. Julianne Payne, PhD; Jacqueline Woodring; Amanda Carnes, MPH
Breakout Panel: Place Matters: Utilizing GIS, Digital Monitors, and Other IPC Strategy Tools 2:15pm-3:15pm By utilizing data and communication tools like "hot spot" mapping for public health intervention or web-based needs assessment surveys among healthcare staff, IPC policy can effectively reflect and serve its community. This presentation highlights the importance of community-based research in exploring the intersection of place, data, and health, for a better understanding of how to promote healthcare, prevent diseases, and create policies and practices that advance health equity and justice. Join presenters from Morehouse School of Medicine and New York Health + Hospitals as they discuss strategies to improve communications among healthcare staff, the utility of current healthcare information-dissemination strategy, and how community-level data can inform broader policy and practice. Dr. Rosanna Barrett, DrPH, MPH; Dr. Syra Madad, OHS, MS, MCP; Dr. Supriya Reddy, PhD, MPH; Dr. Janet Glowicz, PhD, MPH, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP
Main Session: NACCHO's Support of Local Health Department IPC and Overview of Resources 3:30pm-4pm This session introduces attendees to the work NACCHO has done to support local health department work in healthcare infection prevention and control. Learn more about the IPC resources and guidance currently available from NACCHO. Christina Baum, MPH
Session Title Time Description Speaker(s)
Main Session: Context is Everything: Hard-to-See Challenges at the Sharp-End of Healthcare 9am-10am The ever­ increasing complexity of healthcare and widening variety of settings where this work occurs has significant implications for the goals of IPC and public health. This presentation discusses "hard-to-see" things within a work system that have implications on policy-to-action models at the front line of care. Join speakers as they detail a patient­ centered human factors systems engineering model that could be used as an adjunct for identifying and mitigating issues that may impact uptake and sustainability of IPC strategies, regardless of the clinical setting. Dr. Shawna J. Perry MD, FACEP; Kia Padgett, MPH, RN
Breakout Lecture: It's the Law! Using State and Local Rules to Improve AR Detection and HAI Prevention Education 10:15am-11:15am This session reviews how the Oregon Project Firstline team was able to successfully revise a longstanding state rule that defines HAI prevention training standards for all healthcare students statewide, and reflects on how the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene made carbapenem­ resistant organisms reportable and implemented expanded reporting requirements. Dr. Nicole Burton, PhD, MPH; Dr. Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO
Breakout Lecture: Everyone is an Advocate: Advocacy versus Lobbying 10:15am-11:15am Advocacy is a central tenet of public health; without it, we wouldn't have seatbelt laws, safe drinking water, or nutrition labeling. This session discusses the ways in which advocacy is vital to improving public health and keeping communities healthy and safe. Learn how to differentiate between advocacy and lobbying, and understand the limits of federal funding. Victoria Van de Vate, MPP
Breakout Lecture: Navigating the Raging Sea of Rules, Regulations, and Recommendations 10:15am-11:15am Infection prevention professionals commonly misinterpret recommendations for regulations. This presentation discusses creative decision making in the absence of rules and regulations, to help build confidence for future surveys. Rebecca Battjes, MPH, CIC, FAPIC
Breakout Panel: Building IPC Workforce Capacity for State and Local Health Departments in Today's World 10:15am-11:15am This panel highlights efforts to build the capacity of both health department leadership and programmatic staff, to support their ability to meet increasing demand for IPC activities. Join panelists as they discuss recommendations and resources for health agency leadership and programmatic staff to meet the requirements of increased federal investments made to HAI/AR programs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain perspectives from a LHD as they reflect on building IPC capacity before, during, and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Christina Chommanard, MPH; Erin Laird, MPH; Trent Johnson, MPH(c)
Breakout Panel: More than the Rules: Implementing IPC while Navigating Regulations & Require­ments 10:15am-11:15am Project Firstline recognizes that infection control is not simply the following of rules and checklists, but the complex implementation of behaviors by all in a facility that is intended to keep patients, healthcare workers, and the community safe from the spread of germs. An important component of this complex environment is the overlay of guidance, guidelines, and regulations by governments and NGOs, which impact how healthcare facilities identify and prioritize infection risks and IPC actions. This panel provides diverse perspectives on implementing healthcare infection control and discusses how public health can leverage this perspective to effectively partner with and support healthcare facilities as they keep patients and healthcare workers safe from the spread of germs. Dr. Waleed Javaid, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA; Shelley Kester, MHA, RN, CIC, CPHQ; Angela Ochoa, MA, RN, CIC; Dr. Julie Yaroch, DO; Jaime Zalewski, MSN; Liz McClune, MPA, MSW
Main Session: Summit Close 11:30am-12pm Come together to close out the Summit, reflect on key takeaways, and think through next steps to maintain the momentum from our time together. Christina Baum, MPH; Anne Valik, MPH
Title Organization Description
Get Involved with NACCHO NACCHO Learn more about how you can stay up-to-date with NACCHO news, resources, and announcements.
Resources Available to Support Healthcare IPC NACCHO From the Infection Prevention Control Resource Library to our Essential Skills Training Series, this 1-pager provides QR codes for several helpful resources from NACCHO to help your organization strengthen capacity in infection prevention and control.
2023 Certification in Infection Control Assessment Survey Findings NACCHO NACCHO provided funding to local health departments (LHDs) for staff to pursue the Certification in Infection Control (CIC) and Associate - Infection Prevention and Control Certification (a-IPC). Funded LHDs were surveyed, and this summary represents key findings about the successes and challenges of obtaining the CIC and its impact on healthcare-associated infection prevention and response activities.
Infection Prevention and Control Living Learning Network Virtual Community NACCHO Join NACCHO's IPC LLN Virtual Community to engage in discussion and share resources with others. A guide for how to use Virtual Communities can be accessed here.
Healthcare Outbreak Response Training Course CDC The Healthcare Outbreak Response Training introduces learners to key concepts needed to investigate a healthcare outbreak. The primary audience for this training is public health professionals in state, territorial, and local Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Programs.
Over seven modules, you will learn how outbreaks are detected and the fundamental components that comprise a typical healthcare outbreak investigation including how to complete an initial assessment; collect, organize, and interpret relevant information; develop hypotheses; and use data to inform control measures. You will understand how outbreak response activities are informed by epidemiological factors. You will acquire knowledge to effectively prepare for and conduct site visits, communicate with facilities and other partners, and determine when to transition back to standard surveillance.
Training content is based on The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens (CORHA) Principles and Practices for Healthcare Outbreak Response. This training is the product of a collaboration between CDC, CORHA, and CSTE.
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