Vermont’s statewide Collaborative to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (C-PHAR) (formerly known as the Multi-drug Resistant Organism or MDRO Collaborative) is a statewide collaborative that brings infection preventionists, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers from hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), residential care facilities, adult day centers, home health, corrections and a variety of outpatient clinics together to prevent HAIs and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Goals of C-PHAR
- Share infection prevention knowledge and expertise while building relationships between facilities
- Decrease the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Vermont
- Promote antimicrobial stewardship in Vermont healthcare settings
- Reduce antimicrobial resistance in Vermont
Benefits to Participation
- Build relationships with local healthcare facilities and public health personnel
- Get acclimated in a new role and learn the basics of infection prevention
- Learn about new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements and get support achieving compliance
- Gain knowledge of emerging issues and discuss hot topics
- Participate in educational modules and train-the-trainer sessions to bring back to your staff
- Ask questions about the National Healthcare Safety Network, antibiograms, and other data sources and reports
- Get help with policy and procedure updates
To find out more, including how to get involved, contact the HAI Coordinator at AHS.VDHHAIEpi@vermont.gov.
The CDC’s NHSN is the nation's most widely used healthcare-associated infection tracking system. It provides healthcare facilities, states, and the CDC with data needed to identify problem areas, measure progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections.
Be Antibiotics Aware
Be Antibiotics Aware is a CDC campaign focused on improving prescribing practices in inpatient healthcare facilities.
According to CDC, “Antibiotics save lives but any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. At least 80 million antibiotic prescriptions each year are unnecessary, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority.”
The Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Program was developed by CDC to help identify infection control needs and improve infection prevention programs across the country. ICARs provide non-punitive, confidential, facility-specific infection control advice from CDC to help facilities improve their programs. Please contact the HAI Coordinator at AHS.VDHHAIEpi@vermont.gov to schedule a voluntary ICAR at your facility.