NC Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology - SPICE

12/24/2025

The SPICE team wishes all a happy holiday season! The SPICE team celebrated together (holiday painting and fun) and want to wish all a happy holiday and happy new year!

12/22/2025

SPICE has some team updates!
We have two new Infection Prevention Consultants joining the SPICE team in 2025!

Pam Blair joined SPICE as an IP consultant in October and Jayne Lee joined us in December! We are excited to have their expertise added to our team.

Your SPICE team pictured from L to R:
Ashley Jackson-Infection Prevention Consultant, Jessica Ramey- Infection Prevention Consultant, Bill Rutala- SPICE Director, Marty Cooney- SPICE Associate Director, Jayne Lee- Infection Prevention Consultant, Pam Blair-Infection Prevention Consultant, and Vicki Allen- Infection Prevention Consultant.
Not pictured: Jenn Hubbard- SPICE Program Manager

10/22/2025

This week is International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW)!
IIPW is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of infection prevention. Each year, IIPW celebrates the impact of IPs and reinforces the essential practices that protect patients, healthcare workers, and the public. It’s a moment to honor their expertise, amplify their voice, and remind the world that infection prevention saves lives.

This year, we invite everyone to Stand UPPP for Infection Prevention — a rallying call that highlights the power of collective action. UPPP stands for Unite, Protect, Prevent, Prevail — four pillars that reflect what it takes to stop the spread of infection and create safer spaces for all. When we unite across roles and settings, protect our communities, prevent infections through everyday actions, and prevail over emerging threats, we build a stronger, healthier future!

Feel free to learn more and participate in this week's activities here: https://infectionpreventionandyou.org/

10/17/2025

The NC SPICE team recently spent a great time learning at APIC NC in beautiful New Bern! It was a great conference for the SPICE team to learn and network.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate Evelyn Cook's (former SPICE associate director) retirement while in New Bern. It was great celebrating Evelyn and all her accomplishments. In her honor, there is now an Evelyn M. Cook Advancement in Infection Prevention Scholarship created to highlight her dedication to the infection prevention profession for over 30 years.

08/08/2025

Happy Friday from SPICE! Sharing a picture from earlier this year when we had a mix of old and new SPICE team members come together! Have a great weekend!

Pictured from left to right:
Current SPICE Associate Director, Marty Cooney; Current SPICE IP consultant, Ashley Jackson; Former SPICE IP consultant, Angela Warren; Former SPICE Associate Director, Evelyn Cook; Former SPICE IP consultant, Becky Brooks; Former SPICE Associate Director and IP Consultant, Karen Hoffman; Former SPICE Program Manager, Amy Powell; and Current SPICE Director, William Rutala.

08/05/2025

Course Registration for Acute Care SPICE Infection Control Part 2: The IP as Environmentalist

Course dates: November 3rd - 6th, 2025
SPICE Infection Control Part 2: The IP as an Environmentalist

Intended for infection preventionists in hospitals, this 4-day course will give participants the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of sterilization, disinfection, antibiotic utilization, infections in high-risk groups, and epidemics, while broadening their understanding of the interface between specific hospital, ambulatory care, and community health settings and infection control.
*Infection Control Part I is not a prerequisite for this course.
(In-person only at The Friday Center - Chapel Hill, NC)

Click here for information and registration: https://spice.unc.edu/courses/pt2home/

Important: Review all information provided before and after registering.
Deadline to register October 26, 2025
Approval Statement: This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Contact Hours: 23.5 hrs

November 3 – November 6, 2025 Register Here To receive the course registration announcement, join the acute care IP listserv at https://spice.unc.edu/listserv Sample Agenda Location: The Friday Conference Center at UNC Chapel Hill Intended for infection preventionists in acute care settings, this ...

07/30/2025

We have now opened the course registration for the SPICE Infection Control in Long Term Care!

The purpose of this course is to train designated nursing home staff to establish an effective infection control program in accordance with North Carolina Administrative Code rule 10a NCAC 41a.0206.

This 3-day program addresses the structure and content of a high-quality infection control program with lectures on IC program development, surveillance and reporting, and basic statistics. Clinical content addresses the most common infections in long-term care: UTIs, respiratory infections, and wound infections. Antibiotic stewardship is addressed as LTCFs are now required to have an antibiotic stewardship program. Presentations on environmental issues, safe injections/glucometer care, and the OSHA Final Rule, and non-clinical legal aspects of infection control in LTC, round out the course. Also included are presentations on the Role of the state health department and state and federal guidance governing LTCFs. This course will be offered in both live at the UNC Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, NC, and live streamed virtually.
(in-person and virtual)
Click here for information and registration: https://spice.unc.edu/courses/icltchome/

Important: Review all information provided before and after registering.
Deadline to register October 5, 2025

Approval Statement: This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Contact Hours: 19.5 hrs

October 13-15, 2025 Click here to register To receive the course registration announcement, join the Long-Term Care IP listserv at https://spice.unc.edu/listserv Sample Agenda This three-day program held every spring and fall is designed to provide participants with current and practical information...

06/13/2025

Another great webinar from SPICE for Infection Prevention in Dialysis upcoming!
Infection Prevention in Dialysis Settings
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
12 pm-1 pm

Jessica Ramey, MSI, CIC (SPICE Infection Prevention Consultant) will discuss infection prevention statistics for patients in dialysis. We will review available auditing resources for IP in the dialysis setting. Infection prevention best practices in dialysis.

Please register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VSF5SOjYTS6JhyP2g244jQ

06/10/2025

FREE One Hour Webinar:
The Present and Future of Antibiotic Stewardship

Tuesday, June 24th 2025
12pm-1pm

Dr. Willis will review the current state of antimicrobial stewardship in US healthcare, including current regulatory requirements; evaluate the impact of antimicrobial stewardship on antimicrobial resistance and patient safety; and explore the future of antimicrobial stewardship, based on the most immediate needs and expected impacts.

Please register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F62HFC1RT62HeIXeIUklsA #/registration

No CE provided; the webinar will be recorded, and a link will be distributed.

05/21/2025

Free One Hour Webinar on Thursday May 29th from 12pm-1pm from Dr. Willis on Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing.
To register, visit: https://lnkd.in/e2ZK8CwX

05/09/2025

This past week, NC SPICE hosted the North Carolina Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference. We heard fantastic presentations that covered antibiotic stewardship topics for outpatient and long term care facilities. Be sure to sign up for the NC SPICE list serv to continue to learn about our future educational offerings!
Our list serv can be found here: https://spice.unc.edu/listserv/

04/23/2025

NC SPICE wrapped up our spring course offerings last week with great attendance and presentations! Thanks to all who attended!

Our next course offerings will be in November 2025. Sign up for our list serv to receive course registration announcements!
https://spice.unc.edu/listserv