Project Firstline provides front-line personnel with infection prevention skills and knowledge
Jericho, N.Y. –IPRO has been selected by New York State (NYS) to implement Project Firstline, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led project to bring critical infection prevention and control training to frontline healthcare staff working in dialysis centers in New York State. The project is sponsored by Health Research Inc. (HRI), the corporation that administers funding to further public health goals of the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and other entities.
Through this one-year contract, IPRO will train frontline dialysis center staff who work with vulnerable patients with chronic and end stage kidney disease. Training will focus on building foundational knowledge of infection prevention and control protocols and procedures to enhance safety during every patient care activity and interaction.
Project Firstline provides innovative, engaging, and effective training on infection prevention and control protocols directly to frontline healthcare personnel and the public health workforce. As of December 2023, Project Firstline and its partners developed more than 900 educational products and training materials, and hosted more than 2,400 educational events, reaching approximately 165,000 healthcare workers.
The program builds upon existing training for direct caregivers and allied health workers. Project Firstline emphasizes the vital role that every healthcare worker plays in infection prevention and control, creating content that is relevant, regardless of previous training or background knowledge. Special emphasis is placed on staff who are not required to complete mandatory infection control training for re-licensure in NYS.
IPRO’s current federal contract as the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network in NYS and three other regions uniquely positions it to work with dialysis centers. Through its ESRD Network 2 contract in NYS, awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), IPRO currently supports 330 Medicare-certified dialysis facilities including six Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and 14 transplant centers across the state, impacting the care provided to approximately 31,000 dialysis patients.
“Through Project Firstline, IPRO’s team will leverage their existing relationships with dialysis centers to deliver essential training, supporting the healthcare workforce’s efforts to prevent the spread of infection and to protect themselves, their patients, and families across New York State,” said Theodore Will, CEO of IPRO.
“Over the next year, our role will be to enhance our support of dialysis facilities by expanding access to infection prevention and control education tailored to their environment, while collaborating with additional partners who work closely with dialysis providers,” said Sue Caponi, Vice President, CEO, IPRO ESRD Network Program. “Our goal is to ensure staff across all roles have access to clear, actionable education that can be integrated into their daily practice.”
To learn more, contact Michelle Anderson at 516-686-9790.
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About IPRO: IPRO is a national, not-for-profit healthcare organization that works with government agencies, providers and consumers to implement innovative programs that bring policy ideas to life. IPRO does this by making creative use of clinical expertise, emerging technology, data solutions, and diverse marketplace experience to make the healthcare system work better. Incorporated in 1983, IPRO is one of the nation’s largest and most experienced healthcare quality improvement organizations.
Media Contact:
Theresa Jacobellis, Director, Communications Solutions
516-209-5403
tjacobellis@ipro.org
3/5/26
