APIC and SHEA create HIPAG to guide infection prevention priorities and dialogue within the industry.
Two leading infection prevention organizations announced in late 2025 the formation of a new collaborative body aimed at bolstering national infection control efforts.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) unveiled the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG) this past December, a multidisciplinary initiative designed to address infection prevention priorities of national importance.
The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) decision to eliminate the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) – a longstanding source of coordinated, evidence-based guidance on infection prevention, control, and antimicrobial stewardship. With HICPAC no longer in operation, public health leaders expressed concern about potential inconsistency in clinical practice and policy at a time when emerging infectious threats continue to challenge healthcare systems.
In a joint statement, APIC and SHEA emphasized that HIPAG is intended to “help fill these gaps and ensure continuity” by offering timely, evidence-informed advisory expertise to healthcare organizations and the broader community. The group will bring together invited experts from medical societies, healthcare organizations, public health entities, and patient advocacy groups to promote unity and prevent fragmented efforts across sectors.
“HIPAG must reflect the full breadth of expertise and experience in infection prevention and epidemiology,” said Dr. David Weber, president of SHEA. He underscored the importance of broad, inclusive engagement across disciplines to ensure infection prevention policies remain grounded in scientific evidence.
APIC President Dr. Carol McLay echoed the sentiment, noting that the collaboration aims to keep infection prevention “science-driven, practical, and grounded in real-world expertise.” McLay added that the initiative is “critical to the safety of healthcare delivery” and essential for restoring confidence among patients, families, and health professionals.
APIC and SHEA said they are “proceeding thoughtfully and at a measured pace to intentionally build the group” A call for applications had been distributed to APIC and SHEA members in late January. HIPAG organizers hope that a transparent application process, combined with intentional engagement of core stakeholders, will ensure that all voices in this space have a seat at the table.
“This is still a work in progress,” organizers said. “We are leaning more towards a structure to provide rapid guidance during emerging threats as well as one that reviews and assesses processes that are currently in practice. Based on our resources, we are leaning on our current process within each organization for rigorous, evidence-based recommendations, with an evaluation or input from HIPAG during our established process. We feel this gets to the best of what this group can convene to provide – expert opinion and expertise.”