In recent news, healthcare infection prevention professionals have been faced with dramatic changes due to the disbanding of a key federal advisory committee that held noteworthy contributions in the prevention of healthcare-related infections. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), which was disbanded by the Trump administration, was instrumental in establishing national standards that most healthcare facilities across the United States adhere to. These standards include measures such as hand hygiene, the wearing of masks, and patient isolation for infectious diseases.
The dissolution has sparked concerns among infection prevention experts, prompting urgent efforts to uphold national standards and assure continuous, science-backed public health strategies. Among the voices rising in response to these changes is Connie Steed, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, a respected infection prevention consultant and past president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
In an interview with Infection Control Today (ICT), Steed expresses her initial reactions of disappointment and distress at the disbandment of HICPAC, revealing a significant void in the infection prevention and control in the US. HICPAC, founded in 1991, has made a significant impact in formulating infection control recommendations, 90% of which have been completely implemented and integrated into the public CDC guidelines. With these guidelines now being archived, the infection prevention field is left in a state of uncertainty.
To address this, several professional organizations, including APIC and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), are uniting in advocating for the reinstatement of HICPAC. Steed, now part of a work group aiming for this target, urges for this appointment along with the establishment of a full-time CDC director as these steps can ultimately lead the actions forward.
However, in the event of unsuccessful reinstatement, maintaining national standards seems to be a significant challenge. With HICPAC’s main function being to provide guidance and leadership in infection prevention, it’s crucial for these roles not to lapse. As such, APIC, as well as SHEA and other organizations, is committed to upholding guidelines and continuing collaborations with the CDC.
The road to restoring and replacing the functions of HICPAC is filled with uncertainty. Nonetheless, Steed assures that infectious prevention experts remain focused and prepared. Top organizations are ready to confront the challenges head on, ensuring that despite the setbacks, the advancement in the field of infection control and prevention will not stall.