Live Online NIPPing Infections in the Bud

Specialized Training in Infection Prevention and Control

FHCA’s 16-hour Online NIPPing Infections in the Bud program addresses the CMS requirement for nursing centers to have an infection prevention and control system that is consistent with national guidelines and standards of practice for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling the spread of infections. The program is geared toward individuals who are primarily responsible for the skilled nursing center’s infection prevention and control program, including Infection Control Nurses, Directors of Nursing, Assistant Directors of Nursing and Regional Nurses. Training topics include how to implement a surveillance system and use surveillance data to drive-decision making, calculation of infection rates, transmission-based precautions, COVID-19, multi-drug resistant organisms, environmental cleaning and disinfection, as well as information on how to conduct an infection control risk assessment and implement an antibiotic stewardship program.

Online Training: How It Works

• Delivered over 7 live, online training sessions; 1 live, online group activity; and 2 on-demand sessions (16 hours total)
• Live Online Training Dates: December 8-10 and December 14-17 (7 live sessions, each offering 1.5 to 2 continuing education credits)
• Live Group Activity Dates: December 14-17 (attendees choose to participate in 1 live, online group activity offered over this timeframe)
• On-demand Sessions: 2 on-demand sessions offering a total of 3.5 contact hours (available between Dec. 7-Dec 18 at 4:00 p.m. EST)
• Live Online Training Schedule: Beginning at 3:00 EST Daily
• Participants who pass the exam and complete the full, 16-hour training will receive a certificate for successful completion of an Infection Preventionist training
• Any participant holding a license under the Florida Board of Nursing will be required to complete the exam with a passing score of 70% to acquire continuing education credits

Each training session includes attendee engagement with the presenter through Q&A and polling questions. As part of the 16 hours of live, online training, this interactive program includes online small group exercises with the presenters and other participants to enhance individual’s comprehension of the subject matter.

Participant training materials include an infection prevention and control manual with templates and tools for practice observations as well as validation of competencies.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be required to take an emailed, open-book examination to demonstrate their competency in infection prevention. Participants have 30 days to complete the exam; those who pass and complete the full 16-hour training will receive a certificate for successful completion of an Infection Preventionist training.

Learner Objectives

FHCA’s Online NIPPing Infections in the Bud program training delivers all the components of a compliant Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP). Attendees will:

• Learn how to develop systems for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases across a broader range of nursing facility residents, guests, and staff.
• Identify standards, policies and procedures that are mandated to support the systems, with expert guidance on surveillance and reporting.
• Understand new staff training requirements and how to implement a compliant antibiotic stewardship program that includes antibiotic use protocols and systems for monitoring antibiotic use and recording incidents.
• Learn how to connect the new Facility Assessment with the development of an IPCP.

Presenters

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC, is the Vice President for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc. and is the primary author for the Nursing Home Infection Prevention Program (NIPP©), NIPPing Infections in the Bud. She holds a master’s degree in health management and is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. Her 20 years of experience includes creating, implementing, and managing programs that have achieved national recognition, partnership building, meeting facilitation, consensus building, and developing competency- based training curricula for healthcare workers across the continuum of care.  AC has worked in public health preparedness and response roles, served as the manager of the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program for the Florida Department of Health as well as the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida.

Jonathan Teter, MS, CIC, EMT-B is an epidemiologist, infection prevention clinician, and nationally registered emergency medical technician. He is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. He has experience with infection prevention strategies, surveillance systems, and quality metrics at the facility, health system, and state level. Jon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from McDaniel College in Maryland and his Master of Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a concentration in Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology.

Event Agenda