1 IPU

Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Speakers:

Julia Bell, MS, MLS (ASCP), CIC, FAPIC 
Christopher Hunziker, BA, BSN, RN, CIC 
Jennifer Rowland, MSN, RN, CIC 
Tiffany Wiksten, DNP, RN, CIC 

Moderator:

Molly Hale, MPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC 

Behavioral health settings present unique infection prevention and control challenges that often require flexible, collaborative, and patient-centered approaches. This interactive IP Insight Panel will explore practical IPC considerations across behavioral health and related care settings, providing participants with the opportunity to engage in real-world discussion and peer exchange. 

During this 90-minute virtual session, faculty will discuss common IPC challenges encountered in behavioral health environments, including environmental considerations, patient and staff safety, outbreak response, communication strategies, and operational realities across diverse care settings. Participants will gain practical insights and shared perspectives to help strengthen IPC practices while balancing the unique needs of behavioral health populations. 

This session includes facilitated breakout discussions featuring scenario-based conversations and peer collaboration, allowing participants to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore practical approaches in a supportive learning environment. 

This program reinforces foundational IPC principles while emphasizing interactive, discussion-based learning and real-world application. 

Learning Outcomes:

• After participating in this session, learners will be able to: 
• Identify common IPC challenges across behavioral health care settings.  
• Discuss practical strategies to support infection prevention efforts while maintaining patient-centered care approaches.  
• Apply shared insights and peer-driven strategies to strengthen IPC practices within their organization.  

Who Should Attend:
This program is ideal for: 

• IPs working in behavioral health or specialized care settings  
• IPs seeking practical strategies for IPC challenges across diverse environments  
• Newer IPs looking to expand their knowledge of behavioral health IPC considerations  
• Anyone interested in collaborative discussion and peer learning related to IPC in behavioral health settings  
• Attendees will walk away with practical insights, peer perspectives, and discussion-based strategies to help strengthen infection prevention efforts across behavioral health and related care environments.

Live Attendance Required:
To preserve the interactive, small-group nature of this workshop, no recording or on-demand option will be available. Please plan to join us live to fully participate and receive CE credit.

Live Attendance Required:

All registration cancellations and refund requests must be sent via email to [email protected] 15 calendar days prior to the course start date. Any request received within 14 calendar days of the course start date will be charged a $75 administrative fee. Once you have activated your learning system or accessed your online education account, a registration can no longer be refunded.

Substitutions

No substitutions are allowed.

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

IPUs:
APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s).
For more information, please visit the CBIC Website here.

1 IPU

Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Speaker: 

Daniel J. Thompson REHS, HVAC-R

Differential pressure monitors are critical in maintaining safe environments within healthcare facilities, especially in Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms and Protective Environment rooms. These monitors ensure that airflow is directed appropriately—into isolation rooms to contain airborne pathogens, and out of protective rooms to shield immunocompromised patients from outside contaminants. Constant and accurate pressure monitoring is essential to preserving these directional airflows, which are key components of infection prevention strategies.

However, over time, pressure monitors can drift out of calibration, malfunction, or become clogged with dust and debris, leading to inaccurate readings. Relying solely on digital displays without verification poses a risk to patient safety. That’s why manual pressure checks using manometers or pressure meters are necessary to validate monitor readings and identify discrepancies. Routine manual verification helps catch inconsistencies, prompting timely recalibration or replacement of faulty devices.

Proactively managing and verifying differential pressure systems ensures that isolation and protective rooms are functioning as designed. It helps facilities maintain compliance with infection control guidelines and ensures that vulnerable patients remain safe from airborne transmission risks. Combining technology with manual oversight builds confidence in environmental controls and upholds the integrity of critical care spaces.

IPUs: 

• APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s). 
• For more information, please see https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Rece... 

3 IPUs

Session 1: Better Air, Better Outcomes: Integrating Industrial Hygiene and Infection Prevention | September 24, 2026 @ 1 pm ET 

Session 2: Building a Safer Future: Water Pathogen Prevention in a New Hospital | October 14, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Session 3: Pressure Matters: Verifying the Front Line of Airborne Infection Control | November 12, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Infection prevention extends far beyond direct patient care and clinical interventions. The APIC Beyond the Walls Webinar Series examines the critical environmental, engineering, and operational systems that play a vital role in protecting patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors from infection risks. As healthcare facilities become increasingly complex, infection preventionists must collaborate with experts across multiple disciplines to address challenges related to air quality, water safety, environmental monitoring, and facility operations.

This three-part series brings together leaders in infection prevention, industrial hygiene, facilities management, and healthcare engineering to share practical strategies, lessons learned, and real-world experiences from the field. Participants will explore collaborative approaches to managing indoor air quality concerns, developing comprehensive water management programs to reduce the risk of waterborne pathogens, and maintaining effective airflow controls through differential pressure monitoring and verification.

Through case studies, implementation insights, and evidence-based practices, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how environmental systems influence infection prevention outcomes and regulatory compliance. Whether supporting new construction projects, responding to environmental risks, or strengthening existing programs, participants will leave with actionable tools and frameworks to enhance safety, improve interdisciplinary collaboration, and build more resilient healthcare environments.

Join APIC as we look beyond the bedside and explore the essential environmental safeguards that support infection prevention and patient safety throughout the healthcare continuum.

0 IPU

Thursday, November 5, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Join CBIC for an informative webinar covering everything you need to know about Infection Prevention Units (IPUs) and the recertification process for the a-IPC™, CIC®, and LTC-CIP® credentials. This session will walk through how to earn IPUs through activities like conference attendance, publications, teaching, mentorship, and professional leadership — plus tips for building a strong portfolio, meeting domain requirements, and submitting on time. Whether you're new to certification or preparing for your next recertification cycle, this webinar offers practical guidance to help you stay on track and keep growing in your infection prevention career.

Speakers 

Jessica Dangles, MBA, MS, PMP, CAE 
Executive Director 
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology 

Gail Fraine, RN, MMHC, BSN, CIC, LTC-CIP, AL-CIP 
CBIC President 

1 IPU

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 1 pm ET 

The United States (U.S.) and Canada share the world’s longest international land border. This proximity influences cross-border travel and trade while reinforcing the importance of public health efforts in both countries to protect human and animal populations. Outbreaks in one country involving foodborne pathogens and respiratory viruses can impact the other country without respecting regional boundaries. Wildfire smoke can increase susceptibility to respiratory tract infections among exposed populations, and antimicrobial resistance remains a shared public health concern. Both countries also provide healthcare services to underserved communities, Indigenous populations, and vulnerable residents in long-term care settings. As a result, U.S. and Canadian infection preventionists (IPs) must maintain continued vigilance for emerging infectious disease threats that may cross the border.  

Sharing evidence-based interventions to mitigate outbreaks with cross-border pathogens can provide valuable clinical insight and learning for IPs globally. Resources from other regions may serve as useful guides when local public health recommendations are delayed or unavailable. The lessons learned can enhance outbreak preparedness, especially when novel pathogens have been detected such as SARS-CoV-1.  

This webinar will explore several notable healthcare-related cross-border outbreaks and infectious disease events, including measles, botulism, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, smallpox, their mitigation strategies, and lessons learned. Best-practice recommendations and resources from the Public Health Agency of Canada and various Provincial Health Departments, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various state health departments will be highlighted and discussed. 

A key takeaway message is a greater awareness that Canadian outbreak management recommendations should not replace national guidance in the U.S. but serve as a complementary resource. These resources can offer additional perspectives, help bridge operational gaps, and support the delivery of safe patient care. 

Learning Outcomes: 
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Discuss how evidence-based resources from Canadian and U.S. public health agencies can inform effective outbreak response strategies.  
• Compare infection prevention and control (IPAC) resources used in the U.S. and Canada to manage infectious disease outbreaks. 
• Identify how international IPAC resources can help address knowledge gaps during outbreaks and daily operations. 

Speakers:

Steven Schweon, RN, MPH, MSN, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC 
Infection Preventionist Consultant 
Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania 

Jennifer Happe, M.Sc. 
Infection Control Professional, Alberta Health Services 
Calgary, Alberta 

Registration:

Not an APIC member? Click the registration link, select 'Create New Account,' and set up a free account to register at no cost.

1 IPU

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Speakers: 

Ryan Geoit BS, a-IPC, CIC & Ian Mckenzie REH

Waterborne pathogens pose a significant threat to patient safety, especially in large healthcare facilities with complex plumbing systems. This presentation explores the strategic planning and implementation of a comprehensive water management program in a newly constructed 28-story, 200+ bed academic hospital. Attendees will gain insights into the multidisciplinary collaboration required to mitigate risks associated with Legionella and other opportunistic water pathogens.

The session will detail the integration of infection prevention principles into the design and construction phases, including risk assessments, engineering controls, and regulatory compliance. It will also cover the development of a site-specific water management plan (WMP), stakeholder engagement, and post-occupancy validation strategies. Real-world challenges and solutions will be shared, including how to navigate construction constraints, ensure environmental monitoring, and respond to water-related incidents.

To support practical implementation, the presentation will reference key resources such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 188, which outlines risk management practices for building water systems, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Toolkit for Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth and Spread in Buildings. It will also incorporate guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) memorandum QSO-17-30, which emphasizes hospital responsibilities in reducing Legionella risk. Additional standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and NSF International (NSF) related to potable water systems and plumbing safety, as well as recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on premise plumbing, will be discussed to provide a comprehensive framework for water safety planning in healthcare environments.

IPUs: 

• APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s). 
• For more information, please see https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Rece... 

The a-IPC Practice Test is designed to simulate the format and experience of the actual a-IPC examination. This familiarization tool helps candidates become comfortable with question style, structure, and pacing before test day. It is not a study guide or preparation course, and does not substitute for independent study of infection prevention and control content.

1 ANCC Contact Hour (for live event) / 1 IPU

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

When schools return to session, changing routines, increased close contact, and seasonal disease patterns can affect infection transmission far beyond the classroom. These shifts in the community often become infection prevention challenges within healthcare facilities—making early recognition, surveillance, and preparation essential.

Led by pediatric infectious disease specialist Melanie A. Wellington, MD, PhD, this webinar will explore the seasonal progression of illnesses commonly associated with the return to school. Using select examples such as influenza and other respiratory viruses, norovirus, pertussis, measles, varicella, meningococcal disease, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease, Dr. Wellington will discuss how community trends can inform healthcare preparedness and response.

Participants will consider how illnesses may present differently in pediatric and adult populations, how local disease and vaccination data can support planning, and how infection preventionists can adapt surveillance, precautions, and education as conditions change throughout the season.

Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Describe how the return to school and seasonal patterns can influence infection transmission in the community and healthcare facilities.
• Compare important considerations for recognizing and preventing infections in pediatric and adult populations.
• Apply surveillance data and community indicators to infection prevention planning, communication, and education.

Speaker:

Melanie A. Wellington MD, PhD
University of Iowa Physicians
Infectious Disease Specialist
Clinical Professor

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

ANCC Contact Hours:

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Attendees will be able to earn contact hours for attending the course and completing applicable course requirements, including coursework modules and the post-course evaluation. Attendance is mandatory to earn up to 1 ANCC contact hours. After satisfying all evaluation requirements, a certificate of completion will be available to print and/or for your records indicating contact hours.

IPUs:
APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s).
For more information, please visit the CBIC Website here.

0 CE/ 0 IPU

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Learn how to successfully implement the APIC Infection Preventionist Onboarding Checklist and turn it into a practical onboarding tool for your organization.

In this webinar, members of the APIC Education Committee will share real-world strategies for adopting, customizing, and operationalizing the checklist across a variety of healthcare settings. Whether you are a solo infection preventionist or leading a larger infection prevention program, you'll hear practical examples, lessons learned, and approaches to tailoring the checklist to fit your organization's unique needs.

Participants will leave with actionable ideas for implementing the checklist, supporting new infection preventionists, and leveraging additional APIC resources - including the competency career guide, podcast, and companion article - to strengthen onboarding and professional development.

1 IPU

Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Speakers: 

Wilson Bull, MPH, CIH & Monica Lopez, RN, BSN, CIC

This session highlights the collaborative approach between Wilson Bull, Industrial Hygienist, and Monica Lopez, Manager of Infection Prevention, in managing indoor air quality concerns within healthcare settings. Through integrated assessment, communication, and mitigation efforts, their partnership achieved measurable outcome improvements, including improved timeliness of environmental risk resolution and increased consistency in mitigation decisions. Attendees will learn how aligning industrial hygiene and infection prevention expertise strengthens regulatory alignment, improves documentation quality, and increases organizational confidence in responding to indoor air quality events.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the role of Industrial Hygiene in healthcare, including how industrial hygienists assess indoor air quality concerns, identify environmental exposures, and support risk‑based mitigation decisions in collaboration with Infection Prevention and Facilities teams.

Identify key indicators of effective indoor air quality management, including improved timeliness of issue resolution and reduced variability in mitigation decisions through multidisciplinary collaboration.

 
Explain how integrated Infection Prevention and Industrial Hygiene workflows support regulatory compliance, consistent documentation, and survey readiness when managing indoor air quality events.

 
Apply a collaborative framework to evaluate and respond to indoor air quality concerns within participants’ own organizations, using outcome‑focused measures to assess success.

IPUs: 

• APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s). 
• For more information, please see https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Rece...