In an era where innovative healthcare solutions are increasingly in demand, frontline Infection Preventionists (IPs) are being thrust into the spotlight. Traditionally, these healthcare experts have performed critical roles behind the scenes but are now stepping forward into the realm of research. Aiming to facilitate this transition and shape the future of infection prevention methodologies, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) officially unveiled its groundbreaking initiative – the APIC Research Network (ARN) – at the 2025 Annual Conference. The ARN initiative is set to revolutionize the world of infection prevention research by affording IPs the opportunity to contribute directly to the science that guides their profession.
A marquee event of the conference, a Research Symposium, played host to the announcement. It was in this assembly of renowned researchers and emerging IP talents that the initiative was unveiled, setting the stage for a future where IPs are primary contributors to infection control research.
Leading the announcement was Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC, the executive director of APIC’s Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation. She offered an enlightening insight into the year-long journey that concluded in the establishment of the ARN, highlighting the tireless efforts of the Research Advisory Panel (RAP). The RAP, formed in response to a board mandate to enhance IP practice through mentorship and research, was instrumental in molding the formative stages of the ARN.
Joining the ARN is simplified and accessible for IPs looking to broaden their perspectives and influence on the infection prevention landscape. In addition to promoting discussion and networking, ARN membership affords IPs the opportunity to submit and partake in collaborative research. Participation in just a single ARN survey or collaborative research project each year preserves membership, ensuring a continual influx of fresh ideas and discoveries.
The ARN’s various membership tiers allow IPs to progressively advance in their roles from novices (white belts) to mentors. In an expansion of its future offerings, the ARN is gearing up to introduce more membership categories in 2026, specifically tailored towards acute care facilities. Industry leaders, such as Clorox and Georgia Pacific, are also welcomed as Visionary Level strategic partners, furthering the collaborative potential of the ARN.
Reflecting on the 2024 research priorities venturing into the next decade, Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC, director for the Center for Research, Practice and Innovation, underscored the need to remain attentive to long-established concerns while adapting to novel challenges. Priorities will continue to include staffing and prevention techniques but will also evolve to encompass new areas of focus.
The launch of ARN signifies much more than a novel research platform; it represents a fundamental shift towards research guided and driven directly by Infection Preventionists. The ‘Research for IPs by IPs’ ethos ensures that IPs possess the tools these professionals need to leverage their practical experiences in formulating crucial research questions, ensuring the problems encountered today become the research topics of tomorrow. In this way, the ARN acts as a conduit, transforming the daily insights of frontline IPs into data-driven solutions for tomorrow’s infection prevention challenges. This means that if you, as an IP, have an idea that could impact the future of the profession, the ARN is your direct path to making that idea known and respected.
In conclusion, the APIC Research Network is more than an opportunity for IPs to elevate their professions; it’s an invitation to shape the future of the infection prevention field itself. And it’s a call that every passionate IP is indeed poised to answer.