Welcome to the Infection Prevention and Control Resource Hub

Enhanced Barrier Precautions

Residents in nursing homes are at increased risk of becoming colonized with or developing infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Studies show that more than 50% of nursing home residents may be colonized with an MDRO, and when MDROs result in infection, limited treatment options may be available. Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) expand the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to include the use of gown and gloves during high-contact resident care activities -- activities that provide opportunities for the transfer of MDROs to staff hands and clothing. MDROs may be indirectly transferred from resident-to-resident during these high-contact care activities.

CMS recently issued guidance indicating that EBP will be incorporated into F880 Infection Prevention and Control, effective April 1, 2024.

Many resources are available for you from MDPH and CDC.

Antibiotic Stewardship

MDPH has partnered with antimicrobial stewardship (AS) experts from Tufts Medical Center to enhance AS support and activities in our long-term care facilities. Drs. Shira Doron, Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, Kap Sum Foong, and Maureen Campion of Tufts Medical Center share their experience as leaders of a successful program recognized as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.Take advantage of opportunities for education, feedback, and discussion with these experts around promoting and implementing AS strategies. Explore some of the tools and resources we have available and begin reporting your long-term care facility antibiotic start data today.

Project Firstline

The goal of CDC's Project Firstline is to provide every person working in a healthcare facility the foundational understanding of infection control needed to protect themselves, their patients and their communities from infectious disease threats including COVID-19 and antibiotic resistant organisms.

Project Firstline offers educational resources in a variety of formats to meet the diverse learning needs and preferences of the healthcare workforce. Resources are designed to empower and enable healthcare workers to think critically about infection control, using adult learning principles, educational best practices, CDC recommendations, and the science that informs them. Take advantage of these free infection control training resources for all healthcare workers.