Webinars - Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention & Control, Training and Technical Assistance (ARCIPC)

Mitigating the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses in Long-Term Care Facilities (January 21, 2025 at 12:00pm CT)
It’s respiratory season and in addition to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, what else can we do to help protect our residents from respiratory illness? This webinar will describe 10 strategies for mitigating the spread of respiratory illness. Discussion will include information on air management and strategies for improving ventilation in long-term care facilities for…
The Surge of Congenital Syphilis in Alabama: Exploring Reasons and Prevention Strategies (December 4, 2024 at 12:00pm CT)
Congenital Syphilis is preventable; However, Alabama continues to experience a record notable increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2018. Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the infection to their unborn baby. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth…
Climate Change Impacts on Vector Borne Diseases (October 23, 2024 at 11:00am CT)
In this webinar Dr. Luis Chaves will present results from his research on Malaria, Leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases that have illustrated the importance of climate change to understand emerging ecological and epidemiological patterns on the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Learning objectives: Recognize the importance of Global Climatic Phenomena like the El Ni~no Southern Oscillation…
COVID Vaccine for the 2024 – 2025 Season (October 1, 2024 at 12:00pm CT)
In this webinar, Dr. Suzanne Judd, Director of the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy and Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Health Behavior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, will cover the new COVID vaccine for 2024. We will discuss the mechanism of action for this vaccine,…
MDRO Webinar Series Double Feature: Communicating Critical Infection Prevention Information Among Key Stakeholders to Improve Resident Outcomes & The Fall of Antimicrobials and the Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship (July 10, 2024 at 1-2:15pm CT)
During this 1.25-hour webinar hosted by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control, two speakers will delve into distinct topics. This session marks the culmination of the ARC IPC’s MRDO webinar series, serving as its sixth and final installment. In the first segment, Ms. Amy Ward will deliver a presentation titled “Communicating Critical…
The Role of Screening Test for Early Identification of Patients at Risk for Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings (June 20, 2024 at 12pm CT)
Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat and early identification of patients at risk for multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) infection is crucial to prevent the spread of MDROs. This webinar will describe the effectiveness and benefits of implementing a screening strategy to detect MDRO carriers in healthcare settings. Define the types of screening available…
Reporting Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks to the Alabama Department of Public Health (May 23, 2024 at 1pm CT)
This presentation will provide an overview of the reportable diseases and conditions required to be reported to the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks (ID&O) Division within the Bureau of Communicable Diseases at the Alabama Department of Public Health. Review the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division (ID&O) Notifiable Diseases Rules Discuss who should report, how to report,…
Strategies to Prevent the Spread of MDROs and the Application of Transmission-based Precautions (May 2, 2024 at 12pm CT)
This session will highlight key points from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and isolation precautions. In addition, when and how to apply transmission-based precautions and enhanced barrier precautions, including patient placement will be discussed. Session participants will also learn what needs to be considered when cohorting…
Legionella Prevention and Water System Management in the Nursing Home (April 23, 2024 at 12pm CT)
Legionella and other waterborne pathogens have been associated with outbreaks in the nursing home setting causing infections in residents that may lead to severe illness or death. This session will discuss factors that contribute to contaminated water sources and how this can lead to resident infections. CMS now requires nursing homes to have water management…
Beyond the Basics – Cleaning & Disinfection to Mitigate the Spread of Infectious Diseases including MDROs for Healthcare Facilities (April 11, 2024 at 12pm CST/1PM EST)
This webinar is designed to help the infection preventionist take their cleaning and disinfection program to the next level. Efficient and effective evaluation of cleaning and disinfection of patient/resident rooms and use of supplemental disinfection strategies can mitigate the potential impact of the healthcare environment on the spreading of infectious pathogens, including MDROs. Webinar participants…
Yes: Having a Robust Hand Hygiene Program is Still Important (March 12, 2024, 12:00pm CT)
Hand hygiene has been the cornerstone of a strong infection prevention program for years. However, creating a robust hand hygiene program is not as simple as it sounds. This presentation will explain why every healthcare facility needs a hand hygiene program and identify the key elements that are needed. We will review what should be…
Assessing Adherence to Infection Control Procedures with Fluorescent Markers (December 14, 2023, 12pm CT)
This 50-minute session can serve as an educational tool to improve Infection Control strategies that help to prevent and reduce the spread of environmental healthcare associated infections. This session includes strategies to assist in assessing effective hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, and PPE use when used with standard and transmission-based precautions, including potential exposures to blood…
Understanding Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (February 7, 2024, 12pm CST)
In this webinar, Kate Draper, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology Fellow with the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), will provide an overview of Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDROs), their impact, causes, and potential solutions. Also, She will discuss MDROs and causal factors for rapid spread, describe…
Pandemics, Infodemics and Information Overload: How consistent, clear communication can help in future outbreaks (November 7, 2023, 12pm CT)
In this webinar, Dr. Wallace, Epidemiologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, will discuss about infodemics and how they occur, talk through misinformation vs correct information and how they both can contribute to infodemics, and will review the problem of infodemics, and how we…
COVID, RSV, and Flu, Oh My! Preparing for the Upcoming Respiratory Virus Season(October 25, 2023, 2PMCT/3PMET)
It’s that time of the year again – respiratory virus season! In this webinar presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and the UAB Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Strike Team, Dr. Molly Fleece, Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB, will review current data and projections on…
Update on Childhood Vaccines: Getting Ready for the School Year (July 13, 2023, 12pm CST/ 1PM EST)
Vaccines are among the most significant medical advances in the history of the world. Hundreds of millions of lives have been saved or kept whole through vaccination programs. In our global world, though, all vaccine-preventable diseases except smallpox are a mere 18 hours away by plane. Diseases that were common only 30 years ago now…
For Some, It's Far From Over: The Long-Term Symptoms of COVID-19 (May 3, 2023, 12pm CST/ 1PM EST)
Dr. Stella Aslibekyan, PhD Senior Scientist, Genetic Epidemiology, 23andMe and Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham On May 11, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services plans to officially end the COVID-19 public health emergency. Yet by some estimates, at least 10% of the acute COVID-19 cases result in symptoms persisting over months…
Candida Auris: What is it? Can we stop it? (March 10, 2023, 12pm CST/ 1PM EST)
Rachael Lee, MD, MSPH Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, UAB The Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance presents Candida auris: What is it? Can we stop it? Candida auris is an emerging, serious, drug-resistant fungal infection that is spreading worldwide. In this webinar, Ms. Mary Duncan (pictured right), Senior Director…
The Changing Landscape of Antimicrobial Resistance Following the COVID-19 Pandemic (February 8, 2023, 11am CST)
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest health threats to healthcare systems and the COVID-19 pandemic has identified weaknesses that have allowed for transmission within hospitals. In this talk, Dr. Rachael Lee, assistant professor in the Division…
Using Behavioral Theory to Understand the Red/Blue Divide in COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions (January 23, 2023 1pm CST)
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. Political partisanship is an important predictor of COVID-19 vaccination status. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Republicans were less likely to report being vaccinated than Democrats. This webinar will discuss the results from research testing the hypothesis that partisan…
Public Perceptions and Preferences for Antibiotics: Considerations for Health Communication (December 14, 2022 12pm CST)
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. In this webinar, Dr. Alistair Thorpe will discuss health communication efforts to reduce antibiotic overuse and scope for improving their impact through research on public perceptions and preferences about antibiotics. This webinar is co-sponsored by the Alabama…
Protect and Preserve: Priorities of Antimicrobial Stewardship (November 1, 2022 12pm CST)
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. Antimicrobials are essential for modern medicine; however, they become less effective over time. In addition, adverse effects and other negative consequences of antimicrobial use are not uncommon. This presentation, Dr. Matthew Brown will provide an overview of…
The ABC’s of Viral Hepatitis: Update for Public Health Professionals (October 18 @ 12pm CT)
Presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance (ARC IPC), this virtual webinar will provide a snapshot of viral hepatitis epidemiology and an overview of the 2021-2025 US National Strategic Plan/Roadmap for Elimination which is highly relevant to the public health community. We will include a discussion about…
Strategies for Combatting Health Misinformation (October 13, 2022 12pm CST)
Misinformation has been a risk factor throughout the pandemic, leading to more disease and death from COVID-19. Dr. Katrine Wallace (UIC School of Public Health) is an epidemiologist and social media science communicator who debunks misinformation and false claims about COVID-19 and the vaccines. In this webinar, Dr. Wallace will explain the difference between misinformation…
The Mystery and Epidemiology of Long COVID (September, 29 @ 12pm CT)
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. Two and a half years into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is emerging evidence that in some patients, its symptoms may linger for months or even years after the initial infection. While prevalence estimates vary widely, such ‘long…
Responding to the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak (September 15 @ 12pm CT)
The Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance presents “Responding to the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak.” In this webinar, Dr. Nicolas Van Wagoner, associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, will provide a historical overview of monkeypox…
Predicting Human Disease Risk from Animal-borne Pathogens (July 28, 2022 11am CST)
Dr. Barbara Han, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, will explore recent approaches that combine knowledge about animal ecology with machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to make predictions about where and from which species the risks of zoonotic outbreaks are greatest. Examples will emphasize the ongoing spillback transmission of SARS-CoV-2…
Misinformation as a Risk Factor During the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 26, 12pm CST)
Misinformation has been a risk factor throughout the pandemic, leading to more disease and death from COVID-19. Dr Katrine Wallace (UIC School of Public Health) is an epidemiologist and social media science communicator who debunks misinformation and false claims about COVID-19 and the vaccines. In this talk she discussed the difference between misinformation vs disinformation,…
Scientific Reporting During a Pandemic: A Conversation with Katherine Wu (May 11, 12PM CT)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, media outlets have been tasked with translating complex and evolving scientific data about the nature and risks of SARS-CoV-2 to the public. Journalists in these roles have had to stay up to date with rapidly evolving information, wade through misinformation, scrutinize data, and amplify voices from underrepresented and marginalized communities at…
Climate-Disease Connections: Associations, Processes and Incorporation in Infectious Disease Forecast (May 4, 12pm CT)
In this lecture, Dr. Jeffrey Shaman (Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Director, Climate and Health Program, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health) will explore the relationship between disease systems and the broader effects of climate and weather on human health. Dr. Shaman is also Faculty Chair of the Earth Institute at Columbia University…
Infection Prevention: What is it? Can it really help protect us from pathogens? (March 22, 12pm CT)
The Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance presents “Infection Prevention: What is it? Can it really help protect us from pathogens?”. COVID has reminded us how vulnerable the human race is to pathogens. Infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics are not new. They have helped shape how the human race…
Difficult Dialogues: Learning effective communication about tough topics (March 10, 12pm CT)
In today’s polarized and increasingly isolated communication landscape it can feel impossible to break through the noise and establish a meaningful dialogue about issues related to the COVID019 pandemic. In this webinar Dr. Adam Brooks from the University of Alabama shares with us the basis for effective communication and how to shift tough topics from…
Epidemiology 101: Fundamental Concepts for Understanding the Pandemic (February 24, 12pm CT)
Understanding epidemiologic concepts has been consistently and increasingly important in personal and professional decision-making as the pandemic has continued and all elements of it have evolved. Join Dr. Stella Aslibekyan as she presents several tools to help you read and think critically about pandemic-related news from an epidemiological perspective. The webinar will focus on concepts…
Face Masks: Materials, Fit, and Filtration during the COVID-19 Pandemic (February 17, 2022 12pm CT)
Masking has become one of the most pervasive topics since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Dr. Jeremy Walker, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, as he presents on different types of masks, fit, filtration, and behaviors in wearing masks, as well as his current…
Disinfection/Sterilization: A Primer With a Focus on Use in Healthcare Facilities
Webinar from the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) Proper cleaning and disinfection/sterilization of devices and surfaces are critical to safely providing care to patients in healthcare facilities. Dr. David Weber, Medical Director of Hospital Epidemiology (Infection Prevention) at University of North Carolina Hospitals, will provide a comprehensive overview of when and how sterilants and…
Appropriate Use of Disinfectants in Schools and Healthcare Settings (Jan. 18, 2022)
Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 12:00PM CST – 1:00PM CST Disinfectants are incredibly important at mitigating and stopping the spread of myriad types of disease, and have become even more of a daily staple throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Three of the most commonly used disinfectants in general and specifically in school and healthcare settings are Quaternary…
Basics of Sterilization, Disinfection, and Sanitization in Schools and Healthcare Settings (Nov. 16, 2021)
Tuesday, November 16, 12:00PM CST – 1:00PM CST This presentation by Dr. Ziad Kazzi, Emory University, will discuss the differences between sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation and their role in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, like SARS-CoV-2 in school and healthcare settings. By the end of the program uses will be able to describe the…
Prevention and Mitigation Strategies through the COVID-19 Pandemic – A local public health official’s perspective (Oct. 13, 2021)
Wednesday, October 13, 12:00PM CST – 1:00PM CST Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson, MD will review and discuss prevention and mitigation strategies employed (or not employed) from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until now, and some of the challenges he and the health department faced. To the extent possible, this will be an…
Understanding Models to Predict Viral Spread and Community Impact (Sept. 29, 2021)
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 12:00PM CST – 1:00PM CST Dr. Suzanne Judd will discuss how models predict viral spread including the spread of COVID-19 as well as the impact it has on the community. Dr. Judd will review three modeling strategies used to model viral spread and how assumptions in models impact decisions made from…
COVID Insights from Alabama (Sept. 1, 2021)
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 12:00PM CST – 1:00PM CST Rachael Lee, M.D., MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and healthcare epidemiologist for the UAB Health System, will be sharing insights on the state of COVID in Alabama, including vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy, current trends in hospitalizations and deaths, and current variants.…