IPLifeline

This 6-part series will chronicle the journey of 2 infection prevention and control (IPC) leaders, Brenna Doran, PhD, MA; and Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, as they partnered to research and shed light on the critical issue of IP staffing in the current health care landscape. From the initial spark of an idea to the publication of an impactful article, a research manuscript, and a podcast, this series will offer an insider's view of their collaborative process and the profound implications of their findings.

As hospitals face layoffs and budget cuts, the need to demonstrate IPs' measurable impact has never been greater. For IPs, that means transforming your resume into more than a list of duties: it must tell the story of outcomes, savings, and lives protected. Now is the moment to redefine your role—not as a cost center, but as a catalyst for safety, efficiency, and organizational success.

In a world full of corrections and checklists, don’t underestimate the quiet power of encouragement. One sentence—spoken with sincerity—can spark confidence, courage, and change. Infection preventionists do more than monitor safety; they shape culture. So today, go beyond reminders. Speak life. Name the good. Someone’s future may depend on it.

Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.

As federal cuts reshape public health, students nationwide are reacting with fear, frustration, and renewed resolve as they face an uncertain future in the field.

When an unclear airborne isolation order disrupted patient care, one infection preventionist had to unravel entrenched practices and prioritize safety, communication, and staff trust.

As infection prevention infrastructure unravels, professionals face déjà vu from the pandemic’s darkest days—making resilience not just important, but essential for survival and progress.

Infection preventionists face relentless demands, but true resilience begins when they replace self-judgment with grace, processing emotions with acceptance and compassion—not perfection.

Infection prevention demands strength—but when vulnerability is praised in men and penalized in women, leadership becomes performance, not authenticity. It’s time to challenge that imbalance.

Trauma bonds. How do we break free? Brenna tells us, "We must remain unified in our shared mission, supporting one another as we navigate these challenging times."

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 23, 2025.

"The greater impact of gratitude, whether localized or systemic, is to increase the opportunities for others to experience gratitude and to experience higher levels of gratitude in both personal and professional environments."

Truth is not always obvious. Using triangulation, we can fact-check news, research, and social media, ensuring we make informed choices based on credible, multiple sources.

In this installment of IP Lifeline, Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, in uncertain times, encourages us to focus on what we can control, adapt to challenges, trust our values, and keep moving forward. Together, we can navigate any storm.

Infection preventionists juggle constant challenges, often feeling overwhelmed. Learn how simple breathing and grounding techniques can help calm the chaos and restore focus.

Burnout among infection preventionists is a growing crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. This personal reflection highlights the emotional toll, systemic challenges, and urgent need for support.

Micromanagement from leadership can hinder infection preventionists (IPs). This guide explores strategies to reposition IPs as proactive partners in patient safety rather than adherence enforcers.

Explore APIC’s groundbreaking framework for defining and documenting infection preventionist competency. Christine Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC, shares insights on advancing professional growth, improving patient safety, and navigating regulatory challenges.

Infection preventionists play a vital role in health care, leveraging change management techniques to overcome resistance, unite stakeholders, and implement strategies prioritizing patient safety.

Supporting grieving colleagues can feel daunting, but small gestures of empathy and respect for boundaries can profoundly impact their healing while maintaining workplace connection.

The Cherokee parable of 2 wolves illustrates the importance of emotional intelligence in infection prevention. Feeding the "positive wolf" fosters resilience, collaboration, and meaningful leadership.

Infection preventionists face severe stress from prolonged crisis-mode work environments, highlighting the need for boundaries, support, and self-compassion to restore personal well-being.

Infection preventionists (IPs) leverage change management techniques to overcome resistance, build momentum, and implement infection prevention strategies to safeguard patient health and organizational efficiency in health care settings.

Facilitating communication between nursing and environmental services (EVS) staff is essential to overcome staffing challenges and align expectations, ensuring a shared goal of patient safety.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending September 6, 2024.