Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain one of healthcare’s most persistent challenges—despite growing awareness and rapid innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed infection control into the spotlight, but with new threats on the horizon, experts are asking: are we truly prepared for what’s next?
This blog explores the current state of infection prevention in healthcare and what actions organizations can take to protect patients and providers in the future.
The healthcare system showed incredible agility during the COVID-19 pandemic—rapid testing, emergency vaccine production, and large-scale coordination. But not all of those wins are transferable to the next infectious disease.
"I'm an optimist, and I think that we're going to be able to make progress against HAIs, but as a realist, I have to tell you it's getting worse now, and it's probably going to get worse before it gets better."
-Brad Whitchurch, CEO of Seal Shield
Today, healthcare leaders face a tough reality: even with better tools, HAIs are rising. The question is why?
These operational challenges make it harder to enforce strict infection prevention protocols—right when they’re needed most.
Infection prevention isn’t just about following protocols—it’s about understanding why they matter. That’s where education and workplace culture intersect.
When clinical teams see how their actions directly impact both patient and provider safety, they’re more likely to embrace prevention practices. Building a culture of transparency and accountability reinforces that mindset across departments.
But culture alone isn’t enough. Leadership plays a critical role—and as focus shifts toward post-pandemic recovery, reimbursement, and resource management, infection control risks being deprioritized. Leadership needs to ensure it does not.
At the same time, the safety conversation must extend beyond patients. One of the pandemic’s lasting lessons is clear: infection prevention also protects the people delivering care. In an environment already strained by burnout and staffing shortages, prioritizing clinician safety is not optional—it’s essential.
Organizations that double down on infection control send a powerful message to their teams: your safety matters here.
Despite today’s hurdles, there’s real momentum behind smarter, more scalable infection prevention solutions. From automation to AI, the next wave of innovation can help healthcare systems do more with less.
Emerging tools already shaping the future of infection control:
Workflow-integrated solutions that make compliance easier
"We have seen significant advances in infection prevention technology... I do see a future where we have automated solutions using robotics, pathogen detection, and technologies like AI... to have a major, meaningful, and measurable impact on HAI reductions."
--Brad Whitchurch, CEO of Seal Shield
The priority now is turning these advancements into everyday tools—solutions that don’t just exist, but are embedded in workflows, budgets, and safety cultures across healthcare systems.
Reducing hospital-acquired infections takes more than new products or policies. It takes a shift in mindset, a commitment to cross-department collaboration, and the willingness to prioritize safety even when resources are stretched.
There are steps healthcare leaders can take today to make an impact:
The stakes are high—but so is the potential for progress. By investing in smarter strategies and leveraging both education and innovation, healthcare organizations can create safer environments for everyone—patients, clinicians, and staff alike.
To hear more insights from industry experts on what’s driving HAI trends, listen to our related podcast episode, where healthcare leaders discuss what hospitals and teams can do to prevent infection.