Emerging Infectious Diseases in Infection Prevention and Control: Current Challenges, Practical Resources, and APIC’s Response

Session Description: Emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge infection prevention and control programs with evolving risks, shifting guidance, and increasing demands for rapid response. This session will discuss the current emerging infectious disease landscape, highlighting key trends, threats, and considerations relevant to infection preventionists today. The presentation will also explore how APIC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force is addressing these challenges through practical tools, curated resources, and timely guidance to support real-world IPC decision-making.

Peggy Douglas

Infection Preventionist, University of Washington Medical Center

Peggy Douglas, RRT, MPH, CIC, is an Infection Preventionist at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Her work focuses on high-risk clinical environments, including hematology-oncology and surgical services. She brings experience in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology, grounded in more than three decades of clinical practice as a Respiratory Therapist in adult and pediatric intensive care settings. Her professional background spans frontline acute-care operations, program development, and public health practice. Prior to returning to hospital-based infection prevention, Peggy served as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) epidemiologist with the Washington State Department of Health, where she collaborated with healthcare facilities and public health partners on HAI surveillance and data validation, outbreak investigation and response, and quality improvement initiatives. She is interested in advancing the field through rigorous epidemiologic methods, advanced data analysis, and the thoughtful application of innovative technological tools to improve patient outcomes and strengthen sustainable, evidence-based programs.

Kelsey Ostergren

Director, Health Policy Initiatives, Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Kelsey P. Ostergren, MPH, CIC, is the Director of Health Policy Initiatives at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA), where she oversees infection prevention efforts for 180+ member hospitals statewide. She has lead initiatives in healthcare quality improvement, adult education, data analytics, and grant management, and has expertise in National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data analysis. Drawing on her public health training and certification in infection control, Kelsey shapes state and federal policies affecting healthcare operations, service delivery, patient safety and infection control practices. She is passionate about ensuring clinical best practices for infection control are reflected in state policies, to enable healthcare providers to deliver safe and timely care. Kelsey serves on the executive board of the APIC Great Lakes Chapter, National APIC’s Emerging Infectious Disease Taskforce & just finished her 3 year term on the Education Committee at the end of 2024.

Amy Johnson

Infection Preventionist, HSHS Wisconsin Division

Amy Johnson, BSN, RN, CIC, is an Infection Preventionist with the HSHS Wisconsin Division in Green Bay, WI. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Amy’s nursing background spans Intermediate/ICU Care, Post‑Anesthesia Care, Gastroenterology, and Clinical Documentation. Amy has been an active leader within the Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) APIC chapter, serving in both treasurer and president roles. She has also been a dedicated member of the Wisconsin State APIC Seminar Planning Committee for the past several years, contributing to statewide education, collaboration, and professional development.