As we welcome the year 2026, the Editorial Advisory Board of Infection Control Today® engages in introspection, marking a year fraught with misinformation, indecisive policies, and constant changes. This reflection reaffirms their unwavering commitment to uphold scientific truth, supporting the tireless professionals in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) who remain steadfast toward patient care and public health. As these professionals gaze into the future of 2026, one undeniable narrative jumps forth – a narrative punctuated by urgency amidst looming uncertainties.
This sentiment resonates with members of the Advisory Board and some revered winners of the Infection Control Today Educator of the Year™ award. Within the realms of health policy, funding, workforce stability, vaccination, and advancements in technology, Infection Preventionists (IPs), alongside other IPC professionals, are bracing for a year that might trigger a significant metamorphosis in the field.
Alexander Sundermann, the esteemed assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Infectious Diseases, taps into one of the foremost concerns for 2026. He elucidates his apprehension about the potential elimination or reduction of AHRQ (Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality), which could cripple research funding for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as well as jeopardize the availability of pivotal IPC tools. The contraction of federal research infrastructure—a lifeline that not only funds but also shapes the daily practice of many IPs with crucial evidence—could pose a formidable threat to ongoing efforts in the reduction of HAIs.
Brenna Doran, an acclaimed consultant and coach for the Innovative Partners Institute, perceives 2026 as a critical juncture for IPs. This juncture is molded by external forces that are beyond IPs’ control, but they have to expertly navigate around them. Doran suggests that volatile changes in US healthcare policy coupled with intensifying financial strain on hospitals could unfavorably impact staffing and program stability.
The relentless push toward artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity amid these challenges. For instance, the prospect of AI-powered surveillance systems that leverages natural language processing and predictive analytics may replace manual chart review and case detection. Experts predict this tech-powered surveillance could boost data accuracy while reducing the burden on IPs for manual reporting, allowing them to transition focus from data collection to analysis and intervention. However, technology is no magic pill to iron out systemic issues.
Several board members convey grave concern about the falling vaccination rates and the associated repercussions. Dealing with these challenges, Patty Montgomery, the 2025 Infection Control Today Educator of the Year™ award winner, projects a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases due to ambiguous guidance and loss of ACA (Affordable Care Act “Obamacare”) subsidies. This digital age also presents other challenges such as workforce sustainability and staff burnout, pressing the need for a balance between technological reliance and human judgment in patient care.
Amid these uncertainties and shifts in the field, there is an emergence of realism and practicality in infection prevention. Future success largely hinges on how health-care leaders perceive IPC programs: whether as expendable overhead or integral assets to fostering resilience, safety, and trust within the healthcare system. Adapting to change will be an indispensable part of navigating the evolving landscape for IPs and other IPC personnel. Whether such adaptation brings progress or regression will be the pivotal question underscoring 2026.