Infection Intel

Product Locator

Advanced Technology

Bug of the Month

COVID-19

Environmental Health Care Corner

Environmental Services

HAIs

Hand Hygiene

IC Trends

Long-Term Care Chronicles

Long-Term Care

Operating Room

Mask Respirator

Personal Protective Equipment

Policy

IPC Career

IPLifeline

Pathogen Pulse

Prevention

Sterile Processing Perspectives

Sterile Processing

Surface Disinfection

Vascular Access

News

Media

ICView

Expert Perspectives

Medical World News

Pathogen Playbook

Videos

Webinars

Conferences

Conference Coverage

Conference Listing

APIC Chapters

Publication

Infection Control Today

Supplements And Featured Publications

Resources

CME/CE

Editorial Advisory Board

Job Board

Partners

Whitepapers

Subscribe

Educator of the Year

Educator of the Year Official Rules

2025 Educator of the Year Winner

2024 Educator of the Year Winner

2023 Educator of the Year Winner

The COVID-19 section is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on Covid-19. Read more at Infection Control Today.

COVID-19 | Clinical News & Insights | Infection Control Today

Infection Control Today serves infection control, facility, and C-suite leaders with strategies on HAIs, patient care, safety, and quality outcomes

Advertise

About Us

Editorial Board

Contact Us

Terms and Conditions

Privacy

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Infection Control Today – HAIs, Infection Prevention, and Safety News

Facebook

LinkedIn

Spotlight

Featured Articles

Featured Columns

Topic

View More

1rem

 COVID-19 page brings readers the latest information and clinical updates on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, from case counts and hospitalization rates to data on effective treatments for severe disease and the circulating viral variants.  

(This is the first in a series on this topic with Dr Swiner.)

When it comes to preventing infections, building a strong immune system is the most important and effective first line of defense, and nutrition plays a crucial role in that process. Infection preventionists and other infection control personnel should understand this, not only for themselves and their families but also for their patients. While many people believe they are getting enough nutrients from their diet, the reality is that modern eating habits often fall short of delivering the essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need to perform optimally. That’s where strategic supplementation can make a significant difference.

In a conversation with C. Nicole Swiner, MD, author of 

The Healthy Kidney Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Manage Hypertension, Control Stress, and Prevent Renal Failure, Kidney Disease, and More

How to Avoid the Superwoman Complex: 12 Ways to Balance Mind, Body & Spirit

) examined what vitamins help with preventing or mitigating infections.

“We saw a lot of data, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, on increasing your vitamin D intake because not only does it help improve your bone density, energy levels, and mood, but it also helps your body have the energy to keep going,” Swiner, who is also a medical adviser and spokesperson for 

. “It can also help decrease cortisol levels, as well as the extra adrenaline, which is good when you want to get up and go, fight, or flight. However, elevated adrenaline isn't so good for stress levels. So, the better you can keep your cortisol and stress levels by including all the good nutrients and vitamins in your diet, the less likely you are to get sick.”

Vitamins like A, C, D, and E, along with minerals such as zinc, are powerhouses for immune support. These nutrients help regulate inflammation, strengthen cell membranes, and boost the activity of white blood cells that fight off bacteria and viruses. Vitamin D, in particular, has emerged as a key player in both immunity and overall health. Known for its role in bone strength and mood regulation, vitamin D also activates the body’s immune responses, especially those tied to respiratory health.

Swiner explains that during the COVID-19 pandemic, research showed that individuals with adequate vitamin D levels had stronger immune resilience, faster recovery, and lower inflammation levels. It was not just about reducing risk; it was about reducing severity and duration when illness did occur. Vitamin D also plays a part in lowering stress-related hormones like cortisol, which, when elevated, can suppress the immune system and increase vulnerability to infection.

However, the benefits of vitamins extend beyond simply avoiding colds and influenza. Regular intake of immune-supporting nutrients helps regulate stress, stabilize energy, and keep our internal defense systems ready. This is especially important during seasonal illness spikes or in high-stress environments, such as health care facilities, schools, or crowded urban areas.

While a balanced diet is the foundation, as Swiner said, supplementation ensures you do not leave your immune system exposed.

Podcasts

Infection prevention starts long before exposure; it begins with what we put into our bodies. This article series explores how key vitamins and nutrients like D, C, zinc, and more can strengthen immune defenses, reduce respiratory illness severity, and empower infection preventionists with evidence-based strategies to support overall health from the inside out.

Fuel Immunity First: How to Use Nutrition to Stay Ahead of Infection

"Although the virus itself remains a threat, misinformation about COVID-19 has become a parallel epidemic, one that undermines public health efforts and endangers lives."

Debunking the Mistruths and Misinformation About COVID-19

Check out the latest print edition of Infection Control Today: September/October 2025.

Introducing the September/October 2025 Infection Control Today Print Edition

Infection prevention cannot succeed in silos. From acute care hospitals to long-term care facilities, interdisciplinary teams bring diverse expertise together, transforming safety from an individual responsibility into a shared culture. It’s time for leaders to champion collaboration, empower every role, and embed IPC into daily care delivery.

The Role of Interdisciplinary Teams in Infection Prevention and Control Across Acute and Long-Term Care Settings

In a historic Senate hearing, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced bipartisan fury over vaccine misinformation, as public health leaders demanded his resignation to protect science and safety.

Senate Showdown: RFK Jr Faces Growing Calls for His Resignation

Hospital readiness is no longer just about staff and equipment—it’s about infrastructure. From flooding to infection risks, restoration now plays a vital role in protecting patients and ensuring uninterrupted care.

The Silent Side of Patient Safety: Redefining Health Care Readiness Through the Built Environment

“Communication, communication, communication.” William Schaffner, MD, previews his Health Watch USA keynote on pandemic lessons: clarity builds trust, confusion fuels doubt. Full interview on @ICT_magazine 

"Learn How Communication Shapes Pandemic Preparedness—Health Watch USA 2025"

Communication is the single most important tool in a pandemic. William Schaffner, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, will deliver a keynote presentation on 

Communications and Pandemic Mitigation Strategies

 held on August 29, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT. In a recent interview with 

), he reflected on the lessons learned from COVID-19 and the critical role of clear, trustworthy communication in public health.

“Before we had COVID-19,” Schaffner began. “If you had gone to a selection of public health people and ask them if a pandemic were to occur, what are the major issues that you would have to address. The majority of public health authorities would have put communication at the top of the list. And you know what would have been second and third: ‘communication’ and ‘communication.’”

He explained why: “When a pandemic hits, it has to be explained to the public. And then what the public health interventions are, which are going to intervene in people's lives [must be explained as well]. You have to state them clearly, justify them, and provide an explanation for them. We did not do a very good job with those things during COVID-19, and that led to a whole lot of confusion and misunderstanding, some of which we're dealing with still today.”

Schaffner emphasized how messages should have been delivered differently. “I would first of all say we would have to try to explain COVID-19: what's new about it, and then, importantly, as the information about the outbreak evolves, you have to tell people honestly what you know and what it is that you don't know, and you will build on that and perhaps change your mind [and] change recommendations going forward. I don't think we did that clearly [during the COVID-19 pandemic]. The messages have to be clear and simple. You make things complicated, and people get confused.”

Schaffner explained that masks became a flashpoint. “We had a real difficulty with masks because in the beginning, we weren't quite sure how important they were in interrupting transmission. Then we didn't have enough of the high-quality masks available, and so we downplayed the use of masks because we wanted to reserve them for health care personnel. And then we changed our minds and said, ‘Masks are really important. In fact, we want everyone to wear a mask all the time.’ That's very confusing.”

The lack of clarity damaged confidence: “We bollocksed up those lines of communication. And in a sense, that's really an issue that we still struggle with today, trying to get people clear about [masks],” Schaffner told 

. “[The public] lost confidence, and you still hear, ‘Well, you didn't tell us right about the masks. And so why should we believe you now?’ This restoration of confidence and trust is something that's going to have to take us a long time, I'm afraid.”

Politics further complicated the public health response. Schaffner said, “One of the things that made things difficult during COVID-19, of course, is that things, including vaccine use very prominently, developed a political veneer, and that is killer, because once that happens, that's very difficult [to come back from].”

Schaffner contrasted the COVID-19 response with earlier outbreaks: “Back in 2009, when we had the big swine flu outbreak, all the information came from Atlanta, from the CDC, and that made it more acceptable because that's where the public health authority was. Public health and politics [got] jumbled and mixed up in our response to COVID-19.”

Still, he pointed out successes. “We did many things right. And interestingly enough, the scientists, clinicians, and many public health people did things right. The research was brilliant and intense. Remember when COVID-19 hit, we figuratively opened up our textbooks to COVID-19 and found blank pages. We knew nothing because COVID-19 was completely new. The basic scientists did a huge amount of work describing the virus, how it multiplied, and its immunology. The clinicians did an enormous amount of work establishing the clinical presentations of this very, very serious disease. The public health people caught up and did a very good job in describing how this virus was transmitted, and which groups were at highest risk.”

Looking ahead, Schaffner said his main message at the 

 will be straightforward: “I will talk about how important communication is. It's the building of trust. It's creating very simple, straightforward messages, explaining them, acknowledging uncertainties, telling people that we're going to build on this information, and we may well change our minds, and, therefore, the recommendations as we go forward. And having done all that, as they say, rinse and repeat. Keep doing it; keep doing it.”

Ultimately, he noted, the role of physicians extends beyond clinical care. “We're all in this together—clinicians, public health workers—when we deal either with new epidemics or in conventional infectious diseases and other clinical problems here at the bedside. I like to remind people that the Latin, the Latin root of the word ‘doctor,’ is ‘doper,’ the verb ‘to teach.’ Doctors are teachers.”

Clear communication is not just important in a pandemic—it’s everything. In a preview of his upcoming Health Watch USA presentation, William Schaffner, MD, shares lessons from COVID-19 on building trust, keeping messages simple, and acknowledging uncertainty. 

Conference

Learn How Communication Shapes Pandemic Preparedness—Health Watch USA 2025

From Custody Health to Hospital Infection Control: One Nurse’s Journey and Policy-Driven Impact

's) Editorial Board members—a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing infection prevention and control practices. This series highlights each member's unique expertise and contributions to the field.

From groundbreaking research to innovative strategies, these experts are at the forefront of enhancing health care safety. Join us as we learn their insights, experiences, and visions for the future, providing valuable knowledge and inspiration to elevate infection control protocols.

Eddie Jay LeCastillo, MSN, RN, CNL, CRRN, CIC, LTC-CIP, an infection control nurse at O'Connor Hospital, County of Santa Clara Health System in San Jose, California, and nursing manager at the Regional Medical Center of San Jose, entered the world of infection prevention unexpectedly, but now embraces it with passion and purpose. His journey began in a custody health setting just before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Originally hired as a quality improvement nurse, LeCastillo was quickly drafted into infection control when the pandemic hit, managing exposures, assisting health care staff, and helping law enforcement personnel understand transmission risks. What began as a reactive shift soon transformed into a career he is now fully committed to.

“I started my career in custody health services a month before the pandemic hit,” LeCastillo said. “Just imagine being in a brand-new facility; it felt like a completely different world for me. Working in custody was wild, especially since I had spent 7 years in acute care before that, transitioning from acute care to a more congregate setting in the jail.”

At O'Connor, LeCastillo emphasizes the foundational role of policies and procedures in infection prevention. He notes that clear, accessible documentation not only guides staff but builds trust and understanding. While infection control teams are often small and overextended, LeCastillo now dedicates time to thoroughly reviewing policies line-by-line, aligning them with CDC and regulatory guidance. His detailed approach has been well received by both frontline staff and leadership, helping to build a more informed and proactive culture.

In addition to internal hospital practices, Eddie monitors statewide alerts like those from California Health Alerts (CAHAN), staying aware of emerging threats such as H5N1. Real-time updates are critical for infection preventionists to stay ahead of potential outbreaks.

He also highlights the growing focus on manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs), especially during equipment purchases or introductions. Surveyors increasingly scrutinize how devices are cleaned and maintained, making it essential to review manufacturer instructions for use in advance and limit disinfectants to a few standard options to reduce staff confusion.

Looking ahead, LeCastillo is interested in how other facilities engage staff in adapting to new policies and procedures. For him, these documents are regulatory checklists and essential roadmaps for safe, consistent, and effective infection prevention across the health care spectrum.

Infection control nurse Eddie Jay LeCastillo, MSN, RN, CNL, CRRN, CIC, LTC-CIP, found his calling during the pandemic, transforming policy work into a mission to strengthen hospital safety through clarity, engagement, and preparedness.

At APIC 2025, Metrex Research marked a major milestone—4 decades of partnering with infection preventionists. Infection Control Today caught up with Senior Marketing Manager Cheryl Collins, MPH, and clinical advisor Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, to talk legacy, innovation, and why supporting IPs will always be at the heart of what Metrex does best.

Metrex Celebrates 40 Years of Infection Prevention Excellence

What do you get when you mix a milestone anniversary, a room full of infection preventionists (IPs), and a disinfectant line with staying power? A celebration worth scrubbing in for! At the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Annual Conference & Expo (APIC) 2025, 

) joined the team from Metrex Research to toast 40 years of innovation, partnership, and seriously effective surface disinfectants. 

With laughs, insights, and a few heartfelt reflections, Cheryl Collins, MPH, Senior Marketing Manager, and Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC, Clinical Advisor for Metrex, independent infection consultant, and the 2023 

 Educator of the Year™ award winner, reminded us that infection prevention is hard work, but it’s a whole lot easier when you have the right team in your corner.

: Please tell us about the 40 years of Metrex Research.

Metrex has been around since 1985, and what started as a high-level disinfectant, one glutaraldehyde product, became a full portfolio of infection prevention solutions, including hand hygiene solutions; instrument processing solutions; environmental hygiene solutions; and, of course, our star, the CaviWipes line of surface disinfectants.

Sharon Ward-Fore, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC: 

One of the things as an IP that drew me to Metrex when I was not working for them, but I was a user of their products, was the customer support that they provided. For an IP, that is huge. They helped me bring products in, they helped me train, and they helped roll out. They helped educate me, and it made the process that much easier for an IP to take all that off my plate, which in turn helped bring in a great product.

When you’re looking at disinfectant products, it can be kind of mind-blowing because there are so many out there, and Metrex helps simplify the process because the products have universal contact times, broad spectrum of activity targeting the organisms that primarily cause health care–associated infections (HAIs), as well as multidrug-resistant organisms, which is what we worry about now in today’s health care environment. For me, they simplified the whole process and made it easier.

: Tell me a little bit more about what separates Metrex from everyone else.

Metrex has always been dedicated to infection prevention and helping health care professionals in their fight against HAIs. That’s what drives the entire company. That’s what drives our innovation; our partnerships with IPs are so critical to our path forward. They’ve been so important in our history these past several decades. That’s why we make the products we make. That’s why we offer the support we do, because we’re committed to helping IPs do their job and prevent infections.

As an IP myself, I see that not many companies would bring an IP in as their clinical adviser, and I think that speaks a lot to the dedication of this company to wrap their heads around what IPs need, and how we can provide that. When we get together, and I talk about what it’s like to be out on the floor, they really listen, and that is valuable. Their goal is to try to make the IP’s job easier. You can see that in how they interact with IPs. When their sales staff go out to do training, they are all in. They’re in to help IPs and help them do the best job they can to achieve the best patient outcomes. And that’s what it’s all about.

: Forty years is a long time. Many companies have come and gone, yet Metrex has stayed the course over the years. What is your secret?

Listening to IPs [is key], and that’s why we’re here at APIC25. This is our favorite conference of the year. We love meeting our best friends in infection prevention.

 Cheryl hit the nail on the head: [The answer is] listening to what IPs have to say, so when they’re onsite, they’re having a conversation with them. It’s like, what’s your worst nightmare? What keeps you up at night? What can we do to help you? And that’s important.

Being an IP is not like a 9-to-5 job where you do the same thing day in and day out every day; something different is thrown at you, and you must figure your way out of it. With 24/7 support from their sales team, they also provide access to a database of tested material compatibility and usage [verification]. Also, someone like me is available to help them troubleshoot or discuss IP-to-IP issues, which can sometimes be crucial. Clients find it valuable, so they offer it. It’s like the whole bucket of things that you can see in your toolbox, pull out and use, and help IPs out.

We know the job is hard, so we do what we can from our side of things.

: Speaking of being difficult, what is the biggest challenge for IPs and epidemiologists, and how does Metrex address that challenge?

Ward-Fore: It’s the devices’ instructions for use (IFUs) that are limiting or dictating how these [items] can be cleaned when many facilities are now systemwide, and they’re going for that capacity sourcing for products. So IPs must figure out how to manage a product they are told they must use that doesn’t meet the IFU criteria. It’s a significant problem, and there’s no easy solution to fix it. 

Metrex is working on it. Other groups are also working on it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are aware of it. The Joint Commission is aware of it, but no one seems to be able to know how to fix it because you’ve got to bring in medical device manufacturers. You’ve got to bring in those technical writers who write those things. You must talk to the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration and say, “Hey, this is a problem. This is what is making the lives of IPs very difficult. What do I use when what I have doesn’t meet the IFU?”

We now offer a comprehensive line of surface disinfectants, featuring multiple chemistries to cater to various IFUs. Sometimes they call for bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or quat/alcohol. We have that for our customers.

: We’re here at APIC 2025. What are you going to take back to headquarters from the discussions that you have with IPs? What are you going to take back to still be here in 40 years?

We’ll share how valuable it is to have these one-on-one conversations with IPs, to be here in person with them, and to chat with them. We’ll also provide feedback showing that the IPs are really responding to the fact that we have a complete line of products for them, along with additional support resources like our material compatibility database and our sales team ready to offer in-house support whenever needed. Knowing that our customers are responding well to our efforts reassures us that we should continue our efforts.. Metrex may be 40 years old, but we’re just getting started.

It’s important that IPs know they don’t have to go it alone. Companies like Metrex are fully committed to supporting them, and they should take advantage of that. 

At APIC 2025, Metrex Research marked a major milestone—4
decades of partnering with infection preventionists. Infection
Control Today caught up with Senior Marketing Manager
Cheryl Collins, MPH, and clinical advisor Sharon Ward-Fore,
MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC, to talk legacy, innovation, and why
supporting IPs will always be at the heart of what Metrex does best.

Metrex Celebrates 40 Years of  Infection Prevention Excellence

The pandemic opened unexpected doors for infection preventionists, pushing their expertise beyond hospital walls into schools and communities where stopping infections at the source matters more than ever.

Germs in the Halls: Why Infection Preventionists Are Going Back to School

(This is the second of 2 videos in a series. Find the first one

Infection prevention and control (IPC) has long been a cornerstone of hospitals and health care systems, but its reach is rapidly expanding. Over the past few years, infection preventionists (IPs) have increasingly stepped into schools, public health departments, and other community settings. This shift began in earnest during the COVID-19 crisis, which highlighted how quickly infections in classrooms ripple outward to impact families, workplaces, and entire health systems. As a result, organizations are beginning to see the value of having infection prevention expertise not only in hospitals but embedded directly within communities.

One promising area is the school environment. When children bring home viruses, parents may miss work, and local health care facilities feel the strain of increased cases. By focusing on prevention measures in schools—like improved hand hygiene, surface disinfection, and respiratory etiquette—IPC professionals can help reduce these downstream impacts. More schools are now exploring ways to leverage infection prevention resources, whether through direct hiring, consulting arrangements, or educational partnerships.

To learn more, Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC, a contributing editor for 

), interviewed Jordan Bastian, MPH, CIC, an infection prevention consultant at MK Infection Solutions. This took place at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference and Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, from June 16 to 18, 2025, where he discussed his presentation on this subject.

Health departments also play a key role by supplying local data on disease trends, allowing schools to plan ahead for spikes in illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or even measles. Armed with this information, schools can reinforce hygiene campaigns, stock up on sanitizer and disinfectants, and adjust cleaning protocols as needed. National organizations such as APIC have also stepped in, offering toolkits specifically designed for schools. These resources include e-learning modules for staff ranging from bus drivers to nurses, customizable policies, and ready-made posters to promote best practices.

“IPs are a great resource that I don't think are tapped into from us, from a school side, and I think it could be beneficial to hire an IP, or maybe just even ask an IP to come do some education,” Bastian told 

. “Maybe you want someone, to come into the classroom and teach about hand hygiene. Who knows better than IPs? It's also working with the administration, teaching them about the cause of illness, that germ, infection, prevention cycle, breaking that chain of infection. Some of the things that I don't think are widely understood, IPs can bring value in that and helping them understand and being a really good resource.”

Ultimately, as IPs branch out into these nontraditional settings, adaptability becomes critical. The science behind infection control continues to evolve, and IPC professionals must stay flexible to apply new evidence effectively. By building bridges with schools and public health, they are helping to create a more resilient community infrastructure—one that catches infections early and keeps both classrooms and hospitals safer. This broader focus ensures infection prevention efforts truly start where people live, learn, and gather, not just where they go when they are already sick.

Video Series

The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.

1.	Understanding the CDC’s Hospital Respiratory Reporting Rule and What It Means for IPs

Infection preventionists (IPs) are facing a new wave of data-driven responsibilities with the CDC’s recent National Healthcare Safety Network measure requiring hospitals, including critical access hospitals, to report respiratory virus data regularly. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, infection prevention clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, spoke with 

 about how this mandate affects health care facilities and the evolving role of IPs.

“Infection preventionists, depending on the size of their facility and the resources available to them…have felt the strain of this [new measure],” Jones told 

As of November 1, 2024, hospitals must report weekly (or optionally, daily) lab-confirmed inpatient cases of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as occupancy data. Optional data fields also include PPE availability and other resource indicators. This rule, issued under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ condition of participation, complements broader national surveillance efforts, including lab reports and wastewater testing.

Jones emphasized the operational strain this requirement places on already stretched IPs. While many hospitals had prior COVID-19 reporting systems in place, the expanded scope and frequency of data submission require new levels of coordination. For hospitals without automated reporting tools, the burden is heavier, requiring collaboration across infection prevention, information technology, and laboratory teams.

Hospital infrastructure, Jones noted, is slowly evolving to manage respiratory threats better. From triage screening protocols in emergency departments to reinforcing standard precautions and implementing rapid isolation procedures, facilities are building on lessons learned during the pandemic era. 

Still, staff training remains an area for improvement. While infection prevention training is essential, few hospitals have implemented formal programs since the pandemic, leaving IPs to rely heavily on peer support and professional networks.

Jones stressed the importance of viewing reporting not as a regulatory hoop but as a tool for public health response. The CDC uses this data to assess national trends, identify threats to intensive care unit capacity, and detect early signs of surges. For IPs, regularly checking CDC dashboards and internal data summaries can provide insights that directly inform local protocols.

 that the data is “being used to create different types of dashboards and summary reports, and researchers and others from state and local health departments, [and] the CDC look at this data. And it's important that [IPs] know where it is and where they can access it.”

Additionally, Jones recommends having multiple IPs or other health care workers who can assist in gathering this information. “Relying on a single person, especially if you're the only IP and have a measure that seems overwhelming, makes it very difficult to collect and report on a weekly basis. Certainly, IPs go on vacation, or they might be out sick for a week. So, you need to treat this as a team sport. Even if you just have one partner, there needs to be someone who can handle the reporting. If you are unable to do so, that person must understand how to collect the information and all the details that are required for this reporting measure. As I mentioned, there are age ranges, so all that information needs to be collected, as well as the lab-confirmed tests and the relevant dates. NHSN requires several pieces of data for reporting, so having a partner is crucial.”

With growing pressure and limited resources, Jones advises hospitals to make infection prevention a shared responsibility. Backup personnel should be trained in data reporting processes, and managers must support IPs in staying informed, resourced, and resilient.

Understanding the CDC’s Hospital Respiratory Reporting Rule and What It Means for IPs

Evaluation of Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc Certification in Infection Control (CIC) examination rates

Inside the CIC Exam Trends and the Future of Infection Preventionists’ Training Pathways

Infection prevention is a cornerstone of patient safety, but the road to becoming a certified infection preventionist (IP) remains uneven. In a new interview with 

), Kayla E. Ruch, PhD, MPH, CPH, HACP, CIC, shares insights from her recent study published in the 

. As the field faces both mounting threats and workforce attrition, Ruch’s findings underscore the urgent need for standardized, accessible education and stronger institutional support for certification efforts.

Rush has spent years on the frontlines of infection prevention. Her latest study, part of her doctoral dissertation, analyzes 10 years of data on the Certification in Infection Control (CIC) exam, revealing critical trends that reflect broader shifts in the profession. From 2013 to 2022, the number of first-time CIC exam takers nearly doubled. However, pass rates fluctuated sharply, dipping as low as 57% during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The first thing I looked at was my study period data from 2013 to 2022, so a nice, robust, 10-year-ish period to try not to pinpoint certain events,” Ruch told 

. “It gives us more ways to look at what's going on in the field. The first thing I noticed back in 2013 was that we had only 655 first-time test CIC takers, compared to 1172 in 2022, which is almost double the number over time.”

Ruch attributes this variation to both the growing demand for certified professionals and the extraordinary challenges IPs faced during the pandemic. Many candidates lacked protected study time and struggled to reconcile pandemic-era practices with standardized exam expectations. Encouragingly, pass rates have since rebounded to over 70%, suggesting a return to stability in certification preparation.

The study also highlights where IPs excel and where training needs improvement. The strongest areas included identifying infectious disease processes, epidemiologic investigation, and controlling transmission—all foundational tasks for IPs in any health care setting. 

However, domains such as environmental care, sterilization, occupational health, and communication were mastered more inconsistently. These are often areas where IPs play a supportive, rather than primary, role, and where formal training may be lacking.

Without guidance and training, Ruch admits that it is not always easy to get into the field, “but once you're there, you get hands-on experience. You have a job for life, and it will always be around.”

To bridge these gaps, Ruch advocates for protected education time, financial support for exam fees and prep courses, and widespread adoption of tools like the APIC Competency Model and IPC Education Pathway. Institutions can also help by recognizing certification as a professional development milestone and supporting novice IPs through structured mentorship.

 that training “needs to be standardized. Just like any other allied health professional, we at IPS provide critical knowledge and expertise to organizations to create safe environments for patients, reduce health care-related infections, and create safe working environments for our health care workers to reduce exposure transmission and be safe at work. We need more educational track pathways.”

Ruch said during the interview that, as the field braces for an anticipated wave of retirements and burnout-related exits, the time to invest in workforce development is now. Ruch’s study affirms that certification matters, but so does the infrastructure that makes certification possible. With better training, clearer career pathways, and institutional backing, IPs will be better prepared to protect patients, staff, and public health.

As infection threats evolve and the IP workforce faces burnout and attrition, a new study reveals a critical weak spot: inconsistent access to infection prevention certification—and the training needed to succeed.

Inside CIC Exam Trends and the Future of Infection Preventionists’ Training Pathways

Using Genomic Epidemiology to Track Respiratory Virus Transmission in Hospitals

Vatsala Srinivasa, MPH's, research uses genomic sequencing to track hospital transmission of respiratory viruses, revealing hidden links and highlighting the potential for improved infection prevention. 

COVID-19

Latest News