Elevating Infection Prevention Through Industrial Hygiene Collaboration

Session Description: Infection preventionists (IPs) are tasked with protecting patients and staff from a wide range of risks but many work in silos when it comes to environmental and occupational hazards. Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) offer specialized expertise that can help IPs strengthen their programs, enhance compliance, and proactively reduce infection risks across multiple domains.
This session explores how integrating CIH support into IP programs has improved outcomes in diverse healthcare settings, including acute care, long-term care, and ambulatory environments. Attendees will learn how collaboration with CIHs has led to stronger environmental surveillance strategies, optimized Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) performance for air quality control, and improved infection control during construction and renovation. We'll also cover how this partnership supports Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance related to worker exposures and helps address high-stakes issues such as Legionella prevention, surface contamination, and exposure to chemical or biological agents.
Real-world examples will demonstrate how CIH involvement can bring measurable value, whether it’s improving water management plans, conducting exposure assessments, or supporting high-level risk communication with leadership. We’ll also address common implementation challenges and share strategies to foster collaboration between IPs, facilities, safety, and risk management teams.
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how CIH partnerships can elevate infection prevention efforts, increase the credibility of recommendations, and support a broader organizational culture of safety. This session is ideal for IPs looking to extend their impact beyond clinical settings and align with multidisciplinary teams to prevent infections before they start.

Michelle McIntyre

Manager Regional Services Industrial Hygiene & Safety, Terracon

Michelle McIntyre, MPH, CIH, CSP, CHSP, CIEC, CMC, is Manager of Regional Services for Industrial Hygiene and Safety in Texas at Terracon Consultants. A Board-Certified Industrial Hygienist and Safety Professional with 30+ years of experience, she specializes in environmental health, safety, and infection prevention. Michelle has led teams supporting hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient facilities in managing complex risks such as indoor air quality, mold, and occupational exposures. She has developed infection control programs for major healthcare renovations, ensured compliance with OSHA and Joint Commission standards, and trained hundreds on respiratory protection, infectious disease response, and construction-related risk mitigation. Her collaborative approach bridges infection prevention, facilities, and safety teams to deliver proactive, prevention-focused programs.

Alaina Finzer

Department Manager, Industrial Hygiene, Terracon

Alaina Finzer is a Board-Certified Industrial Hygienist with a strong background in infection control, environmental health, and occupational safety across healthcare, government, and industrial settings. She has over nine years of experience supporting hospitals, outpatient facilities, and laboratories in improving indoor environmental quality, managing Legionella prevention programs, and ensuring compliance with USP 797/800, Joint Commission standards, and OSHA regulations. Alaina has conducted numerous investigations related to healthcare-associated infections, cleanroom performance, and waterborne pathogens, and she has led projects involving microbial sampling in neonatal intensive care units, endoscopy suites, and operating rooms. She currently serves as a Department Manager, Industrial Hygiene at Terracon Consultants, where she partners with infection preventionists and facilities leaders to develop proactive, risk-based strategies that protect patients and healthcare workers.

Tiffany Kesinger

Infection Preventionist III, The University of Kansas Health System

Tiffany Kesinger, BSN, RN, CIC® has been a registered nurse since 1999 and has specialized in infection prevention since 2009. She achieved her initial Certification in Infection Control in 2012 and brings experience across diverse healthcare settings, including long-term care, acute care, and ambulatory environments. Tiffany currently serves as the Infection Prevention Liaison to ambulatory locations at The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas. Tiffany is actively involved in professional leadership with APIC at both the national and chapter levels. She is a member of the APIC Nominating and Awards Committee and served as Committee Chair in 2025. She currently serves as Membership Chair for the Greater Kansas City APIC Chapter. Her prior roles include APIC Member Services Committee Chair, President of the Greater Kansas City APIC Chapter, and Secretary of the Wichita APIC Chapter.