About Us
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of collaboration among clinicians and administrators to address specific needs and challenges associated with providing care for people living in congregate communities. With funding from VDH Virginia Long-term Care Infrastructure Pilot Projects (VLIPP), we aim to build this community of practice with the Virginia IMPACT initiative (Infection Mitigation, Prevention and Control through technology).
Virginia IMPACT: Mission
The Virginia IMPACT initiative aims to achieve improved preparedness through technology supported, evidence-based education and advice for statewide infectious disease management across congregate living environments.
Virginia IMPACT: Community
This project strives to bring together a community of practice of facility-based infection control teams through consultation on the use of telehealth in congregate care and monthly webinars for on-going state-wide dialogue.
Our Team
Anthony Nappi, PT, RN- Nursing Liaison
Rebecca Steele, CNL- Innovation
David Cattell-Gordon, MSW- Community Outreach
Amy Ryall, M.Ed- Project Manager
Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, MPH- Medical Director
Kathy Wibberly, PhD- Director of MATRC
Tabor Flickinger, MD, MPH- Clinical Technology
Samuel Collins, DrPH- Director of Project ECHO
Register
Virginia IMPACT presents monthly webinars to facilitate on-going state-wide dialogue with professionals working in infection control. Through this series, Virginia IMPACT aims to cultivate a scientifically bound, culturally responsive community of practice for collaboration and communication around managing infectious diseases in congregate communities. Virginia IMPACT strives to engage discussion beyond clinical outcomes to address the broader impact of infections and infection control for people living and working in these communities. Virginia IMPACT sessions are hosted by Project ECHO at UVA. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an innovative telementoring program designed to create virtual communities of practice with an “all learn, all teach” approach. Series participants engage in discussion by sharing clinical experiences, challenges and learning from colleagues and subject matter experts.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Participants will engage in collaboration with community care team members to increase capacity to provide best practice care related to infections and infection control.
- Participants will gain knowledge of emerging epidemiological trends and management of infection control in congregate communities.
- Condition and symptom specific sessions will provide increased ability to screen, test, and/or manage patient care related to infection control.
- Participants will engage in a supportive and collegial learning environment that provides knowledge and practice guidance.
- Participants will receive analysis of practical innovation, technology implementation, and policy considerations for managing infectious diseases within congregate communities.
Resources
Coming soon…
Providing clinicians and organizations quick and easy access to best practices, with established infrastructure to provide technical assistance and training to implement those best practices, will result improved support for people working in infection control in congregate care communities. We provide these resources to the community in a non-commercial and vendor-neutral environment.
Visit MATRC.org for telehealth resources.
We Need Your Input!
The Virginia IMPACT initiative, part of VDH’s Virginia Long Term Care Infrastructure Pilot Projects (VLIPP), aims to achieve improved preparedness through technology-supported, evidence-based education and advice for statewide infectious disease management across congregate living environments. IMPACT is conducting a survey to assess telehealth use within organizations (such as phones, computers or tablets to support care between clinicians and patients, professional health-related education, and healthcare administration). Click the link below to complete the survey and share your valuable input on redesigning telehealth for congregate care communities.