News|Videos|August 24, 2026

Same Expert, Different Employer: Should That Change What Counts as IPC Education?

Recent changes from CBIC involving IPUs have opened a much bigger conversation about industry, consultants, commercial bias, continuing education, and professional expertise. In a candid Contagious Conversations discussion, 4 experienced IP professionals ask whether the answer should depend on where an educator works or what that educator actually teaches. It is a conversation the IPC community may need to have sooner rather than later.

For infection preventionists (IPs), continuing education is not an optional professional extra. It is how practitioners maintain certification, keep pace with emerging pathogens and technologies, and bring new practices back to their facilities. But recent changes, not announced on LinkedIn, but noted on the CBIC website involving infection prevention units (IPUs), have ignited a much larger debate: Should the credibility of infection prevention education depend on the content being taught or on who signs the educator's paycheck?