infection prevention
infection prevention
By Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Flexibility in Action: How IPs Thrive in an Ever- Changing Landscape
Over the past two decades, the role of the infection preventionist( IP) has undergone dramatic transformation. From paper charts to real-time surveillance dashboards, and from nurse-only positions to multidisciplinary teams, the one defining quality that has helped IPs adapt and thrive is flexibility. This is my lived experience.
The Early Days of Infection Control
When I began my journey as an IP in the early 2000s, the role looked very different. Back then, many of us were called infection control nurses— a title that implied only nurses could serve in this role. In addition, the department was often called infection control. The title later evolved into infection control practitioner( ICP), and today we are recognized as infection preventionists. Under both of these titles, I was also the employee health nurse, which was often combined with infection prevention and seen as a joint role. Additionally, most departments have changed or expanded the name to infection prevention and control. Each name change reflected a shift in responsibilities and a broader understanding of our role within healthcare and beyond.
Evolving Qualifications and Reporting Structures
The transition from‘ nurse’ to‘ practitioner’ opened the field to professionals from other disciplines such as laboratory technologists and epidemiologists. While my nursing background provided a strong clinical foundation, I’ ve seen how professionals from diverse backgrounds contribute valuable perspectives. We have established infection prevention as its own career path that is not an extension of nursing. While it applies to nursing, it also has a broader impact beyond nursing practice that includes other disciplines within and outside healthcare organizations. Reporting structures also evolved over time— at various points in my career, I’ ve reported to chief nursing officers, chief medical officers, and quality directors. Similar to the change in background for the infection prevention role, each reporting structure brought a new perspective. For instance, when reporting to the chief medical officer, I had more interactions with physicians. This unique situation provided me with more insight about clinicians that were not always engaged with infection prevention when it was historically perceived as a nursing function. What I initially perceived as a negative change turned into a valuable opportunity.
Technological Transformation Early in my career, infection prevention was a largely manual process. We used paper charts and had to physically retrieve microbiology reports. We also stored most of our policies and procedures in physical binders. While this is still common practice in some settings, many organizations have embraced the digital age and use a shared site that is accessible to all staff members to store policies and procedures. Historically, surveillance required face-to-face conversations to determine whether infections met HAI criteria. I entered HAI data into the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance( NNIS) System, which ran on DOS. Eventually, that system evolved into the web-based National Healthcare Safety Network( NHSN) we use today. Pagers have been replaced by smartphones, and data is now accessed with a few clicks instead of a walk down the hall. The medical field has changed as well. We have robots performing surgery and disinfection, new and improved sterilization machines, and clinical resources that can be accessed with a click of a button. All these technology changes have impacted how we perform our duties in infection prevention.
A Growing Professional Identity
The shift from ICP to IP marked a turning point. Like hospitalists or laborists, IPs became recognized as dedicated clinical experts embedded in the healthcare system. The title‘ Infection Preventionist’ carries weight— it suggests an active role in preventing harm. Along with this new name came greater accountability. IPs became integral to hospital-wide initiatives, often housed within quality departments, emphasizing the broad impact of our work. We were also included in patient safety and risk management programs as leaders started to understand that we have a certain skill set that can help promote safety and reduce risk among patients and employees.
Certification and Competency Development When I first became certified, the CIC was the only credential available. Today, IPs can earn multiple certifications tailored to specific care settings and experience levels. The development of a formal competency model further professionalized the field, establishing benchmarks for knowledge and performance that didn’ t exist when I began my career. Infection preventionists who specialize in long-term care have also been recognized for needing a separate certification which was long overdue. There is now a specific certification that supports the need for training among this group of IPs. With the increase in specific certifications, the field of infection prevention has gained more support and credibility as a profession with its own unique knowledge requirements and skill set.
Adapting to Emerging Threats Over the years, IPs have responded to countless public health threats— from anthrax scares following 9 / 11, to SARS, H1N1, Ebola, Monkeypox, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. Each crisis brought new challenges and required rapid adaptation. Being able to pivot, stay informed, and act decisively became essential survival skills. Through it all, IPs have learned new skills and information to enhance their organizational team. They are often leaned on to develop the skills and knowledge needed to address the latest catastrophe. Many opportunities have emerged to use our flexibility muscles and lead the charge.
Why Flexibility Matters
Reflecting on these two decades of constant change, one thing is clear: flexibility isn’ t optional, it’ s fundamental. Technologies shift, reporting structures evolve, and new pathogens emerge. What remains consistent is the need for IPs to adjust quickly and continue leading with confidence. Flexibility is the bridge between tradition and innovation in our field, but it doesn’ t come naturally to most people. In my experience, it evolves over time, but it is the conscious choice to embrace change that is made every day. Trying to resist even small changes only makes the inevitable task more difficult and challenging.
Looking Ahead
I wonder whether the name of our profession will change again and what new pathogen will emerge in the next decade. Regardless of titles and new diseases, I hope our field continues to grow in recognition, diversity, and impact. We have more to learn and many more challenges ahead, but with flexibility as our foundation, I’ m confident the future of infection prevention is bright.
Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, is principal of IP & C Consulting, LLC.
10 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com • sept-oct 2025