Agencies
Services
Regional Infection Prevention Program
The Regional Infection Prevention Program (RIPP) is housed within the Medical Services Division in the Office of the Director. Our infection control coordinators (ICC) are experienced infection prevention nurses who provide consultation to local health departments, hospitals, and long-term care and other high-risk congregate care facilities in their regions.
Infection control coordinators:
- Support outbreak response in health care settings
- Provide education and support in the prevention of multi-drug resistant organisms and other health care-associated infections
- Conduct Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) site visits
- Provide infection prevention support to sister state agencies
RIPP works closely with the HAI/AR, Communicable Disease, Environmental Health, and other divisions at IDPH to respond to outbreaks of health care-associated infections in congregate settings.
Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Program Site Visit
The ICAR is a tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for comprehensive assessment of an infection prevention program and its practices. The ICAR process includes the following steps:
- After requesting an ICAR visit, you will be contacted to schedule the one-day onsite assessment.
- A calendar invitation and visit details will be provided once a visit date is scheduled.
- On the day of the visit, the infection control coordinator will review infection control processes with facility representatives (including the facility infection preventionist, director of nursing, environmental services and maintenance managers, regional staff, and other staff as available). Following a sit-down discussion, the ICC will tour the facility and observe infection prevention and control practices. When able, the ICC may be joined by other RIPP members and local health department staff.
- After the visit, the facility point of contact will receive a summary of findings, including strengths, opportunities for improvement, and recommendations for addressing identified gaps in infection prevention and control practices.
- The ICC will follow up over the next few months to discuss the implementation of recommendations.
Request a FREE Infection Prevention Assessment and Consultation
IDPH invites long-term care facilities in the state to request an on-site infection control assessment and consultation. Other facilities, such as acute care, critical access, ambulatory surgery centers, dental clinics, and other outpatient clinics, will be accommodated as resources permit. Reach out to your local health department or email RIPP at DPH.IP@illinois.gov.
RIPP Coverage Map
Infection Control Coordinators by Region
Bellwood/Chicago
Infection Control Coordinator
Tracy Boyle, RN, BSN, CIC
Counties Served
Cook
Independent Health Departments within Cook County:
Evanston
Oak Park
Skokie
Stickney
Champaign
Infection Control Coordinator
Rachel Deerwester, BSN, RN
Counties Served
Champaign
Clark
Coles
Cumberland
De Witt
Douglas
Edgar
Ford
Iroquois
Livingston
Macon
McLean
Moultrie
Piatt
Shelby
Vermilion
Marion
Infection Control Coordinator
Mike Bierman, RN, BSIT, CIC
Counties Served
Alexander
Clay
Crawford
Edwards
Effingham
Fayette
Franklin
Gallatin
Hamilton
Hardin
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson
Johnson
Lawrence
Marion
Massac
Perry
Pope
Pulaski
Richland
Saline
Union
Wabash
Wayne
White
Williamson
Metro East
Infection Control Coordinator
Yvonne Overton, BSN, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP
Counties Served
Bond
Calhoun
Christian
Clinton
Greene
Jersey
Macoupin
Madison
Monroe
Montgomery
Morgan
Pike
Randolph
Sangamon
Scott
St. Clair
Washington
Peoria
Infection Control Coordinator
Alex Bowers MPH, MSDA, BSN-RN, CIC
Counties Served
Adams
Brown
Bureau
Cass
Fulton
Hancock
Henderson
Henry
Knox
LaSalle
Logan
Marshall
Mason
McDonough
Menard
Mercer
Peoria
Putnam
Rock Island
Schuyler
Stark
Tazewell
Warren
Woodford
Rockford
Infection Control Coordinator
René Chenore, BSN, RN, CIC, MT(ASCP)
Counties Served
Boone
Carroll
DeKalb
Jo Daviess
Lake
Lee
McHenry
Ogle
Stephenson
Whiteside
Winnebago
West Chicago
Infection Control Coordinator
Jacob Rothmeyer, MS-RN, MPH, CIC
Counties Served
DuPage
Grundy
Kendall
Will