Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, AL-CIP

This article is the first in a 3-part series exploring the "invisible shields" that protect our everyday world from biological threats. In an era defined by rapid climate shifts and 24-hour global travel, biosecurity has evolved from a niche laboratory concern into a critical pillar of national defense. However, this evolution coincides with a period where diplomatic trust is at a historic low and international cooperation is increasingly fragile.

Infection prevention professionals are facing a critical breaking point. New survey data reveal widespread understaffing, rising burnout, and systemic undervaluation that threaten patient safety, outbreak readiness, and health system resilience.

Infection preventionists face a daily battle against unseen threats, yet the hardest struggle is often the fear of speaking up. When you spot a dangerous gap in practice, do you act or stay silent to avoid conflict. Real safety begins when IPs are empowered to stop the line without fear or hesitation.

As financial pressures mount across U.S. health care, infection preventionists are increasingly caught in the crossfire of hiring freezes and sudden layoffs. The profession’s resilience is being tested, and for Saba Shaikh, MPH, an unexpected dismissal became both a stark wake-up call and the start of a healthier, more empowering new chapter.

This 6-part series will chronicle the journey of 2 infection prevention leaders, Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC; and Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, CIC, IHI, as they partnered to research and shed light on the critical issue of infection prevention 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. This third article in the series will focus on...

Join the APIC Research Network (free for APIC members), pick your level, and commit to one survey or collaborative project this year—research for IPs, by IPs. Your idea could shape tomorrow’s practice.

Designing a survey is both art and science. In this installment of From Concept to Impact, we share how we shaped questions to capture meaningful insights without overwhelming respondents.

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.

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.

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.

The proposed elimination of ASPR’s Hospital Preparedness Program in the 2026 federal budget could dismantle essential emergency readiness infrastructure and jeopardize national health care safety.

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

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."

"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."

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

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.

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.

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.

Discover Tamara Behm's journey in seeking an IP leadership role, her passion for patient safety, and advice for job-seeking professionals in infection prevention, in this discussion with ICT’s IPLifeline.

How can you help novice infection preventionists in such a challenging yet rewarding field? Dear Helpdesk answers with assistance from Rebecca Bartles, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC, executive director of the Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation for Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Maintaining team morale during financial instability and potential layoffs requires clear communication, emotional support, and professional development opportunities to reassure and retain valuable team members.

An infection preventionist leader shares strategies for navigating overwhelming workloads, recruiting support, and communicating effectively with management while addressing burnout in an understaffed environment.

Balancing personal struggles and professional responsibilities during crises requires self-awareness, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and support networks. Embrace these strategies to navigate and overcome challenges.

Beginning a new infection prevention position can be daunting. Check out the latest IP LifeLines article by Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, on mastering the transition.

Dear Helpdesk gives advice to an Infection preventionist preparing for a new leadership role after a year of part-time consulting.