AVMA News

NAVTA, Virox launch certificate program in infection prevention

Hospital-associated infections in veterinary medicine can result in damaging health, financial, and social consequences affecting patients, clients, and staff members. To advance best practices in infection prevention, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, in partnership with Virox Technologies, has launched The Infection Prevention Leader Certificate Program.

Over a five-year period, 82% of veterinary teaching hospitals reported at least one outbreak, while 45% experienced multiple outbreaks, according to a 2008 paper in JAVMA. In human medicine, according to a 2003 paper in the Journal of Hospital Infection, an evaluation of 30 reports suggested that the potential exists to decrease the rate of HAIs by 10% to 70%.

A human with a towel and gloves sanitizing a table surface with disinfectant spray
One of the four courses in The Infection Prevention Leader Certificate Program covers cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization as ways to prevent workplace-associated infections.

The Infection Prevention Leader Certificate Program is a free online program designed to provide animal care professionals with the knowledge needed to reduce the risk of spreading infection and create a safer workplace for their team, patients, and clients.

The certificate program consists of the following four courses:

  • Pathogens & Disease Transmission
  • Infection Prevention
  • Cleaning, Disinfection & Sterilization
  • Implementation & Communication

Upon completion of the four courses, students will receive a certificate as well as five continuing education credits.

“In partnering with Virox, NAVTA intends that this certificate course gives veterinary team members a better understanding of HAIs and their prevention,” said Jamie Rauscher, NAVTA president, in the Feb. 28 announcement about the program. “In addition, the opportunity to make the course free to all team members is something that we readily agreed to make it more accessible to everyone.”