IPC Partners

Welcome to this Insight webinar hosted by IPC Partners, the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), and the Infection Prevention Society (IPS). In this session, Dr Jon Otter and Dr Phil Norville are joined by Dr Alex Sundermann, a leading researcher from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), to explore one of the most transformational developments in infection prevention and control (IPC): genomic surveillance. 🔬 What This Webinar Covers Dr. Sundermann has been at the forefront of bringing whole‑genome sequencing (WGS) into real‑world IPC practice. In this webinar, he shares: - How genomic surveillance has evolved in the last five years - The shift from reactive outbreak investigation to proactive, real‑time surveillance - Evidence from UPMC’s multi‑year sequencing programme, including o outbreaks missed by routine IPC methods, instances where genomics ruled out suspected outbreaks, major transmission routes identified (e.g., contaminated endoscopes, ventilator filters, contrast practices), and cost‑effectiveness findings, including ~$700k annual net savings - Practical steps for implementing genomic surveillance in your own organisation - Barriers to adoption, including bioinformatics expertise, funding, and the need for professional society guidance - Future directions for hospital and national‑level genomic networks 🧪 Why Genomic Surveillance Matters WGS is no longer a research luxury—costs have fallen dramatically, workflows are faster, and evidence shows it can: - Identify outbreaks earlier - Prevent unnecessary IPC responses - Provide clarity in complex epidemiology - Detect cross‑facility and community transmission - Support targeted IPC interventions that save lives and reduce cost 📝 Topics Discussed - Reactive vs proactive (surveillance) sequencing - Genomics for MRSA, VRE, Pseudomonas, C. difficile and more - Practical turnaround times and lab workflows - Integrating genomics into IPC teams - Ethical, legal and regulatory considerations - How to pitch genomic surveillance to leadership - Insights from global programmes (US, UK, Denmark, Australia) 📅 About the Insight Webinar Series The Insight series brings expert discussions on cutting-edge infection prevention topics. Sessions support CPD, encourage critical thinking, and build a global community of IPC professionals. 🔗 Here's the schedule: https://ipcpartners.org/learn-with-us/ If you found this session useful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with colleagues in infection prevention, microbiology, epidemiology, and healthcare leadership.

Dr Alexander Sundermann speaks with Dr Jon Otter about his upcoming Insight Webinar on "Genomic surveillance for IPC: principles and practicalities". The webinar will be on Weds 4th Feb 2026, and you can register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/78683f77-25a6-40e4-825d-3fc60a708658@880e1cf6-0e66-4ce3-9534-eadf2d5ded15

Recorded: 21 January 2026 • Duration: 46:18 Speakers: Dr Brenna Doran, Dr Sara Reese, Dr Phil Norville, Dr Jon Otter. A candid, practical conversation about burnout in infection prevention & control (IPC)—what it is, how to recognise it, and what organisations and individuals can do about it. What you’ll learn • Why many infection preventionists report intense exhaustion yet remain deeply engaged with their work—and why that distinction matters. • How a pilot using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) helped separate perceived burnout from burnout measured by a validated tool. • The most consistent stressors (workload, barriers, feeling misunderstood) and the protective role of purpose, value, and connection. • Pragmatic strategies: workload triage (“that’s a tomorrow problem”), realistic boundaries and hard stops, hybrid/at‑home focus days, and leadership actions that actually help. Key takeaways • Verification helps: a structured, validated assessment can reduce anxiety for many who feel “on the edge,” and provide clarity (or validation) for those who meet burnout criteria. • Engagement is protective: passion and a sense of purpose correlate with resilience—even when fatigue is high. • It’s not just individual resilience: sustainable fixes require organisational action—adequate staffing, realistic workloads, psychological safety, and flexible work models. • Make boundaries visible: short “must‑do‑today” lists and agreed hard stops prevent work from endlessly expanding into personal time. • Talk about it: if you’re struggling, speak to someone—normalising the conversation reduces stigma and enables support. #InfectionPrevention #IPC #Burnout #Wellbeing #HealthcareWorkforce #PatientSafety #MaslachBurnoutInventory #JournalClub