In recent years, infection prevention — traditionally dominated by nurses — has evolved to welcome professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy, each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. According to a 2015 survey, 82% of infection preventionists (IPs) came from a nursing background, while nearly 10% had trained as laboratory scientists, and 4% had pursued a degree in public health. A follow-up 2019 survey indicated a decrease in IPs from nursing backgrounds (from 82% to 65.4%), while IPs with public health training saw an increase to 11.7%, followed by laboratory scientists at 4.9%. This shift towards diversity signifies a growing understanding that professionals from various health disciplines can competently perform in this role.
The process of standardizing nursing education in the United States was an extended effort that developed in parallel with the professionalization of the field. The late 19th century saw most nurses trained through hospital-based apprenticeships with little in the way of a formalized curriculum. This slowly changed with the establishment of various bodies and laws promoting standardized education and licensure for nurses. Over time, different avenues towards obtaining a nursing education were established, from diploma and associate degrees to baccalaureate and advanced practice degrees. Today’s nursing education is highly standardized and regulated. Their routine adherence to protocols, such as hand hygiene, disinfection, and isolation practices, means nurses are strongly positioned to transition into infection prevention roles.
The emergence and development of respiratory therapy (RT) as a professional discipline in the US can be traced back to the 1940s when the Inhalation Therapy Association (ITA) was formed to standardize the field. Over the years, the scope of practice has expanded to include aspects such as pulmonary care, mechanical ventilation, and critical care. Today, providers of RT are well-trained in infection control measures, such as enforcing hand hygiene, disinfecting respiratory equipment, and adhering to isolation protocols. With their clinical experience and familiarity with high-risk patient populations, respiratory therapists bring substantial value to infection prevention roles.
Continual research into elements like environmental hygiene, personal protective equipment, and vaccination policies form an integral part of the current infection prevention landscape, prompting a constant review, innovation, and adoption of continuous disinfection strategies in healthcare settings.