Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs are essential, facility-wide initiatives that prevent healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, and other infectious risks to patients, staff, and visitors. Led by physician–infection preventionist teams, these programs use surveillance, policy, education, and data-driven strategies to identify threats and reduce harm through evidence-based practices.
News and statements
Education, guidance and resources
- LearningCE (online education)
- Raising the Bar: 3 webinars on how to advocate for resources for effective IPC teams, including necessary elements to create IPC programs, the business case for a well-resourced IPC program, and the healthcare executive perspective on IPC work
- Prevention CHKC: Course in HAI Knowledge and Control is an interactive training course developed to strengthen foundational knowledge in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. It supports early-career professionals and those new to the field by aligning competencies with practical, evidence-based approaches to prevent HAIs. (closing March 2025)
- The SHEA Online Primer in Healthcare Epidemiology, Infection Control & Antimicrobial Stewardship is designed for infectious disease trainees and healthcare professionals to build foundational knowledge in key topics like pathogen transmission, outbreak management, and stewardship, with interactive modules developed by adult and pediatric experts. It is endorsed by SHEA, IDSA, and PIDS. (closing in March 2025; new course launching in April 2025)
- The SHEA Training Course in Healthcare Epidemiology and the SHEA Antibiotic Stewardship Training Course are held at SHEA Spring, covering topics including surveillance, outbreak investigation, transmission pathways, sterilization, regulatory compliance, and antimicrobial stewardship, with hands‑on exercises and expert‑led seminars.
- Healthcare Leadership Communication: four modules on communication skills for management, policy influence, media, and social media
- Perencevich EN, Stone PW, Wright SB, et al. Raising standards while watching the bottom line: making a business case for infection control. ICHE. 2007 Oct;28:1121-33.
