VIPTA

2026 Virginia Patient Safety Summit
2026-02-26 09:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Safe Care, Every Step of the Way: Advancing a Culture of Safety in Healthcare
About the Event
The 2026 Virginia Patient Safety Summit will highlight work being done in Virginia and across the country to advance a culture of safety and continuous improvement in healthcare. By establishing a set of shared values and behaviors that prioritize patient safety and worker safety and wellbeing, healthcare organizations can minimize errors, improve outcomes, and enhance the overall quality and experience of care. For highly reliable organizations, a culture of safety describes a commitment to core values and principles that recognize the inseparable integration of both patient safety and worker safety.
The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s Center for Healthcare Excellence is proud to host this event in partnership with the Virginia Nurses Association/Virginia Nurses Foundation (VNA/VNF), the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV), the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA) and the Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists (VSHP). Join us for this state wide gathering to learn about efforts to advance a culture of safety in healthcare every day, every step of the way!

Cuppa Tea with an IP
2026-03-04 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-11 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-18 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-25 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-04-01 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-04-08 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-04-15 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-04-22 14:00 - 14:30 and 5 more dates
Every Wednesday at 2:00pm infection preventionist (IP) can join the VDH HAI/AR Team for Cuppa Tea with an IP. Cuppa Tea with an IP is a weekly chance to chat live with a VDH IP and subject matter experts (SMEs) about your infection prevention and control questions. We can’t wait to hear your questions and see how we can help.
Register once for the Cuppa Tea with an IP meetings and attend whenever you have questions or need a little IP peer boost.

National Patient Safety Awareness Week
2026-03-08 - 2026-03-14
Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW), an annual recognition event in March, aims to showcase the practices and initiatives that advance safety and engage patients, consumers, and communities in the coproduction of safe care. During this week, IHI seeks to advance important discussions locally and globally and inspire action to improve the safety of care for patients and the workforce. Patient Safety Awareness Week is a dedicated time to grow awareness about patient safety and recognize the work already being done.
Join IHI for two free webinars on March 9 and March 12, 2026, to support learning and spark meaningful action during this year’s observance.

Upcoming Webinars
Five Forces Shaping the Future of Diagnostic Safety
March 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00PM ET
Participants will gain insight into the latest scientific, educational, and clinical practice advancements shaping the future of diagnostic safety. The session will highlight promising approaches to measuring and improving diagnostic performance, with actionable steps for health care organizations, quality and safety leaders, and risk management professionals. The webinar will also emphasize the critical role of patient co-design and co-production as key drivers of safer, more reliable diagnostic processes.
Register Now
AI and Health Care: Implications for Safety and Quality as the Field Matures
March 12, 2026 |11:00 AM – 12:00PM ET
Join Dr. Robert Wachter as he examines the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and what it means for quality, safety, cost, and the clinician experience. He shares practical insights on how AI can meaningfully improve a system under strain, along with highlights from his new book, A Giant Leap.
Register Now

Long-Term Care Administrators Week
2026-03-08 - 2026-03-14
Since 1994, the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) has sponsored this national observance each March. Long Term Care Administrator’s Week is time to nationally appreciate and celebrate the critical role administrators have in providing leadership for the delivery of quality, resident-centered care and a supportive work environment.
Administrators are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the care of the older adults and individuals with disabilities who live in nursing facilities. They touch the lives of residents, families, and employees in innumerable ways, and ensure that their staff provides the highest level of quality care to this vulnerable population.

World TB Day
2026-03-24
The theme of World TB Day 2026 – ‘Yes! We can end TB!’ – is a bold call to action and a message of hope, affirming that it is possible to get back on track and turn the tide on the TB epidemic, even in a challenging global environment. With decisive country leadership, increased domestic and international investment, rapid uptake of new WHO recommendations and innovations, accelerated action, and strong multisectoral collaboration, ending TB is not just aspirational – it is achievable.

National Doctors' Day
2026-03-30
National Doctors’ Day is a nationwide observance dedicated to honoring physicians for their expertise, responsibility, and continued commitment to patient care. Observed annually on March 30, it creates a natural point of recognition for the role doctors play in the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, often during critical and life-changing moments.

National Public Health Week
2026-04-06 - 2026-04-12
From APHA: For more than 150 years, public health has reshaped what’s possible in the United States — adding decades to life expectancy and dramatically improving quality of life. These achievements didn’t happen by accident. They were the result of community health workers, medical professionals, scientists and advocates pushing for policies grounded in evidence and focused on equity.
Yet too often, these once-unimaginable gains are taken for granted. National Public Health Week (NPHW) 2026 invites all Americans to renew their commitment to strengthening the systems, science, and community partnerships that keep us healthy.
This year’s theme — Ready. Set. Action! — calls on each of us to look back at the progress we’ve made and look forward to the steps needed for an even healthier future. Because one truth guides it all: Good health doesn’t just happen. Watch our latest webinar to learn more about this week’s theme.

World Health Day
2026-04-07
THEME
Together for health. Stand with science.
This World Health Day 2026, WHO unites and mobilizes the world under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” to highlight the role of science-led innovations improving the health, with special focus on One Health – the interconnected and coordinated health of humans, plants, animals and the environment.

CDC PFL: Pertussis - Trends, Treatment & Prevention
2026-04-07 12:00 - 13:00
Recent data for pertussis (whooping cough) show that reports of pertussis cases have returned to pre-pandemic levels, peaking in 2024 and remaining elevated in 2025. Because pertussis spreads easily and can cause severe illness, early symptom recognition and appropriate infection prevention strategies are important for protecting patients, staff, and the community.
The following CDC resources can help support healthcare and public health professionals with early recognition and prevention of pertussis:

Pertussis Webinar: CDC Project Firstline and the American Medical Association will host a webinar on April 7 focused on pertussis identification, transmission risks, infection prevention actions, post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines, and coordination with public health partners. Register today!
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Micro-Learn: Supports brief, on-the-job infection control training to help staff understand pertussis symptoms and reduce spread in healthcare settings.
Infection Control for Pertussis: Recommendations for managing healthcare worker exposure to pertussis within the healthcare setting.
Postexposure Antimicrobial Prophylaxis (PEP): Information on how and when to use PEP appropriately to protect those at high risk of severe infection from pertussis.
Public Health Considerations for Pertussis: Information related to pertussis surveillance, prevention, and outbreak response to assist health departments in implementing public health strategies when appropriate.
Pertussis Prevention: Information about current pertussis vaccination recommendations.

CDC COCA Call: Rabies is Still Here: Epidemiology, Outbreaks, and Costs of Prevention in the United States
2026-04-30 14:00 - 15:00
Because there are fewer than 10 confirmed human rabies cases in the United States each year, rabies isn’t always easily recognized by clinicians. But about 4,000 animals are confirmed to have rabies each year in the United States, and people are exposed to the virus every day.
Rabies exposure can have far-reaching consequences: it can be difficult to know when post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary; rabies in pets and livestock can have significant financial implications; and medical costs after potential rabies exposures amount to hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss the current rabies landscape in the United States and CDC resources to help clinicians and health departments with risk assessments.
Presenters will also highlight animal-related costs and impacts from rabies and how risk assessments can help avoid financial damage from costs associated with rabies exposures.
If you are unable to attend the live session of this COCA Call, the closed-captioned video and transcript will be available on the COCA Call webpage approximately one week after the live session. The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call webpage under “Webinar.”
Free Continuing Education (CE) will be offered for this COCA Call.
Registration is not required.

National Nurses Month
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-31
National Nurses Month 2026 is celebrated in May, with National Nurses Day observed on May 6, 2026, marking the beginning of National Nurses Week.
This month is dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of nurses in healthcare.
May 6-12th is National Nurses Week.
This year, the American Nurses Association celebrates 130th Anniversary as America celebrates its 250th. ANA has played a key role in elevating nurses voices, stories, awareness, engagement and local celebrations in coordination with sponsors and partners. Join ANA in celebrating nurses everywhere this May.

World Hand Hygiene Day
2026-05-05
Each year, since 2009, the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention and control in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of improvement globally.
The 2026 campaign – 18 years of SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands
A large proportion of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery could still be prevented with hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC) action at the right times. This provides a high return on investment for health systems and countries. In this 18th year of the WHO world hand hygiene day, we call on those providing and supporting health care to refresh their action on hand hygiene and IPC to ensure patient and health worker safety.
2026 SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands slogan – Action saves lives.​
Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect health systems every day and are a daily threat to patients in every health care setting, including during public health emergencies. They contribute to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden, cause immense suffering to patients, families and health workers, premature deaths and disability​, higher health care costs and hamper efforts to achieve high-quality care for all​.
Hand hygiene and IPC best practices are also affected by the built environment including lack of water, sanitation, waste management and hygiene (WASH), which also impact equity and dignity among both those providing and receiving care​.
In 2026 IPC action including hand hygiene, is critical now more than ever.

National Hospital Week
2026-05-10 - 2026-05-16
Hospitals save lives and help communities thrive, and this National Hospital Week (May 10-16) is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people and teams who make that happen every day. This National Hospital Week, the American Hospital Association will follow the theme “Healing Happens Here;” recognizing the amazing people who work in America’s hospitals and health systems.

National Skilled Nursing Care Week
2026-05-10 - 2026-05-16
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week ​​May 10-16, 2026!​

National Skilled Nursing Care Week 2026 Theme
The 2026 National Skilled Nursing Care Week theme is “Moments in Bloom”!

“Moments in Bloom” reflects how everyday acts of compassion, connection, and teamwork grow into meaningful experiences for residents, families, and staff. It celebrates the idea that big and small moments, when nurtured, can flourish to help residents live life to the fullest and with purpose.

About National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW)​
​Established by AHCA in 1967, NSNCW starts each year on Mother’s Day and encourages skilled nursing care centers around the country to host a variety of events that shine a light on the individuals who reside, work, and volunteer in nursing centers while adhering to infection control requirements.​​

National EMS Week
2026-05-17 - 2026-05-23
In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week™ to celebrate EMS professionals and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s frontline.
Improving Outcomes, Together extends beyond medicine. It’s a collective responsibility that involves investing in the people behind the care with fair pay, safe staffing levels, mental health resources, leadership that listens and acts, and opportunities for professional growth.
This week, we recognize the people behind the patch and reaffirm our commitment, as partners and communities, to Improving Outcomes, Together.

ID Pharmacist Day
2026-05-22
The sixth annual Infectious Diseases (ID) Pharmacists Day will be Friday, May 22, 2026. This day recognizes the importance of ID pharmacists and the contributions they make to patient care. This year’s ID Pharmacists Day is extra special as we also celebrate 35 years of SIDP!
This year’s theme, “Beyond the Rx: ID Pharmacists as Educators and Advocates,” highlights the critical role ID pharmacists play far beyond the prescription. By educating patients and healthcare teams, mentoring students and trainees, and advocating for evidence-based care and public health initiatives, ID pharmacists advance antimicrobial stewardship and influence policies that improve outcomes at both the individual and community levels. This theme celebrates their impact as educators, advocates, and leaders in the fight against infectious diseases.

Infection Preventionist Mentorship Program Application Deadline
2026-05-24
Elevate Your Infection Preventionist (IP) Career with a Unique Mentorship Opportunity! Applications for Cycle 3 of the Infection Preventionist Mentorship Program, created by APIC Virginia and the Virginia Department of Health, are now open! Apply by May 24th to join the new group that will start on June 1.
This free six-month program pairs IPs for shared learning and professional growth.
Learn more about the program and how it can support your IP practice on the APIC Virginia IP Mentorship website.
For questions, contact mentorship@apicva.com.

CDC COCA Call: What Clinicians Should Know about Ebola Bundibugyo Virus
2026-05-28 14:00 - 15:00
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responding to an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low, but as with other high-consequence infectious diseases, clinicians are often the first to diagnose an outbreak.
During this COCA Call, learn more about this outbreak, the history and ecology of Bundibugyo virus, what U.S. clinicians should know about preparing for, diagnosing, and managing patients with suspect or confirmed Ebola disease, and how to prevent Ebola viruses from spreading.
If you are unable to attend the live session of this COCA Call, the closed-captioned video and transcript will be available on the COCA Call webpage approximately one week after the live session.
The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call webpage under Webinar.
Continuing Education (CE) will not be offered for this COCA Call.
