APIC - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

07/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2025 12:40

APIC Releases Update to Position Paper on Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Health Care.

The full white paper is available for download here.

Arlington, VA, July 15, 2025 - The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released an updated position paper titled "Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Health care (2025)," published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC). This update builds upon APIC's 2016 position paper and reflects advancements in science, updated regulatory standards, and ongoing infection prevention challenges across all healthcare settings.

The 2025 paper responds to growing evidence of ongoing pathogen transmission through unsafe injection and medication preparation practices by healthcare professionals, causing several reported outbreaks of viral hepatitis. Documented outbreaks have occurred across various healthcare settings, often due to inadequate aseptic technique, medication preparation in unclean environments, and misuse of vials and injection equipment.

To address these concerns, the updated position paper outlines practical, evidence-based recommendations for infection preventionists, clinical staff, and healthcare leaders to standardize practices across care environments.

"Every patient deserves safe care, and that begins with safe injection and medication practices," said APIC President Carol McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA. "This paper offers clear, actionable recommendations to help health care organizations close longstanding gaps in practice and ensure their teams are fully equipped to protect patients and themselves from preventable infections."

APIC is grateful to the following organizations and agencies for supporting this updated position statement:

  • American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN)
  • Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
  • Association for Vascular Access (AVA)
  • Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
  • The Infusion Nurses Society (INS)
  • The Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)

As part of APIC's commitment to transparency and engagement, APIC is collecting questions for the authors' review. An FAQ document will be released on a quarterly schedule, or as necessary, to address these inquiries. Please direct all questions to CRPI@apic.org

About APIC

Founded in 1972, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading association for infection preventionists and epidemiologists. With more than 15,000 members, APIC advances the science and practice of infection prevention and control. APIC carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and patient safety; education, credentialing, and certification; and fostering development of the infection prevention and control workforce of the future. Together with our members and partners, we are working toward a safer world through the prevention of infection. Join us and learn more at apic.org.

Media contacts: Malina Jacobowitz, mjacobowitz@apic.org; Jaclyn Amato, jamato@apic.org

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