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.

Ventilator-Capable Skilled Nursing Facility Infection Prevention and Control Collaborative

The Ventilator-Capable Skilled Nursing Facility Infection Prevention and Control Collaborative (vSNF IPC Collaborative) is a new initiative led by the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antibiotic Resistance (HAI/AR) Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to address the unique IPC needs of vSNFs. The goal of the Collaborative is to create a partnership between the HAI/AR Program and vSNF leadership to support IPC practices and prevent multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) transmission.

MDPH Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Program

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer healthcare facilities in Massachusetts onsite infection prevention and control (IPC) assessments. An Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) visit consists of an on-site, collaborative, non-regulatory visit from a Public Health Nurse and an Epidemiologist to assess and strengthen current infection prevention and control practices in Massachusetts health care facilities.