#46 Burnout, Beds, and Budgets: The Hidden Reality of IP Staffing

American Journal of Infection Control: Science Into Practice

In this special episode, our very own host, Jess, swaps the mic for the guest seat, joining co-author Brenna Doran to unpack their newly published study, “Quantifying the Progressing Landscape of Infection Preventionists.” This episode dives deep into what it really takes to keep infection prevention programs running in today’s complex healthcare environment.

Tune in as Jess and Brenna reveal eye-opening insights from their national survey, including why infection preventionists consistently work over 40 hours a week, how staffing levels vary by region and facility size, and the hidden toll of cross-departmental demands. They also explore the future of infection prevention staffing and how AI-driven tools might finally offer the scalable solutions IPs have been waiting for.

Whether you're an IP, a healthcare leader, or just passionate about health system resilience, this episode offers critical lessons, personal reflection, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at the evolving demands on infection preventionists across the U.S. Don’t miss it!

With special guests:

Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, CIC, Dartmouth Health System Director of Infection Prevention and Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, Founder and CEO of Innovative Partners Institute