A critical void has emerged in healthcare, and two leading organizations are stepping up to fill it. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have joined forces to launch the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG). This initiative aims to tackle pressing infection prevention priorities on a national scale.
With the elimination of the CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), concerns arose about potential inconsistencies in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship practices. This is where HIPAG comes in, offering a crucial lifeline. It's designed to provide timely, evidence-based guidance, supporting healthcare organizations and the wider community. This collaborative effort emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and scientific rigor in national discussions on infection prevention.
APIC and SHEA envision HIPAG as a unifying force, bringing together experts from various medical societies, healthcare organizations, public health entities, and patient advocacy groups. The goal? To maintain a consistent approach to infection prevention as new challenges and threats constantly evolve.
But here's where it gets controversial... HIPAG is intended to prevent fragmented efforts, promote alignment, and strengthen collaboration by connecting experts across different disciplines and care settings.
"HIPAG must reflect the full breadth of expertise and experience in infection prevention and epidemiology," emphasizes Dr. David Weber, president of SHEA. "We are inviting expert representatives from key medical, public health, and patient groups to ensure broad and inclusive engagement across disciplines. Evidence-informed infection prevention policies save lives—there’s no room for compromise. We owe it to our patients and our field to get this right." This statement highlights the importance of a unified front in infection prevention.
Carol McLay, 2025 APIC president, adds, "HIPAG reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that infection prevention remains science-driven, practical, and grounded in real-world expertise. This collaboration is not only critical to the safety of healthcare delivery—it is key to restoring trust and confidence among patients, families, and the professionals who care for them."
The structure and membership of HIPAG, along with a communication and engagement plan, are still being finalized.
Organizations interested in participating can contact APIC or SHEA for more information.
About APIC: APIC is the leading professional association for infection preventionists, dedicated to creating a safer world through infection prevention.
About SHEA: SHEA is a professional society representing physicians and other healthcare professionals in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship.
What do you think? Do you believe this new advisory group will effectively address the gaps in infection prevention? Are there any specific areas you think are particularly crucial for HIPAG to focus on? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
