Preventing collapse: A premortem on the future of infection prevention and control research and practice.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2026.01.018
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A premortem approach was used to identify risk factors and early warning signs for the potential collapse of infection prevention and control (IPC) research and practice.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, electronic survey was distributed in April 2025. Participants were an international sample of IPC thought leaders who were invited to imagine a hypothetical future in which, by 2029, IPC research and practice had collapsed. They responded to prompts asking for contributing factors, early warning signs, barriers, populations affected and missed opportunities. Responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis.
RESULTS: 19 IPC leaders from academia, hospitals, government, and professional organizations participated. Key contributing factors to collapse were restructuring of federal organizations and loss of dedicated IPC funding for education and research. Early warning signs included training program closures, stalled workforce growth, and reduced scholarly output. Underserved, immunocompromised, and older adult populations were seen as most at risk. Missed opportunities included failure to build alternative leadership networks or diversify funding.
CONCLUSIONS: The premortem identified potential reasons for the hypothetical collapse of IPC research and practice in addition to opportunities for mitigation, emphasizing partnerships, systems-thinking, and advocacy.
Journal Title
American journal of infection control
Volume
54
Issue
7
First Page
739
Last Page
746
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Infection Control; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cross Infection; Research; Risk Factors
PubMed ID
41605261
Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance; Health care-associated infections; Political climate; Proactive risk assessment; Public health
Recommended Citation
Monsees E, Stroever S, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Hall L, Kon S, Gilmartin H. Preventing collapse: A premortem on the future of infection prevention and control research and practice. Am J Infect Control. 2026;54(7):739-746. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2026.01.018
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