THE VALUED VOICE

WHA and the Wisconsin Rural Health Cooperative co-hosted a webinar featuring the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance providing an overview of CDC’s updated COVID-19 infection prevention and control recommendations and other state and federal policies. The nearly 100 webinar participants heard DQA’s Vicky Griffin, BSN, RN, infection preventionist, and Ann Hansen, director, Bureau of Health Services, provide an overview of the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, which CDC updated on Sept. 23, 2022; discuss infection control practices; and respond to questions from the participants. DHS had previously provided a summary of the updated recommendations.
 
During the webinar, DQA discussed and provided links to the following webpages:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including boosters
• Summary of Guidance for Minimizing the Impact of COVID-19 in Individual Persons, Communities, and Health Care Systems
• Immunizations: Influenza Vaccine Data
• Sample notice and visitor instruction
• COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey Tool for Acute and Continuing Care Providers and Suppliers (Revised)

 After the webinar, DQA provided a link to a webinar offered by Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), “Infection Prevention and Control: Incorporating Lessons Learned in Managing Special Pathogens.” The title page of the PowerPoint presentation includes a link to the webinar recording.
 
Questions related to the CDC’s updated guidance can be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or to WHA, which will forward the questions to DQA.