When Leadership Says No: Infection Prevention in Hostile Environments

Session Description (300 words or less): Infection Preventionists (IPs) are often tasked with implementing strategies that protect patients, staff, and the community. Even with solid evidence, sometimes leadership resists those strategies, refuses funding, or downplays risk. This session addresses the reality of working in environments where infection prevention is not prioritized and how to navigate, influence and drive change despite resistance.

Through case studies from diverse healthcare settings, participants will examine scenarios where leadership repeatedly said “no” to critical infection prevention measures, from capital investments to urgent outbreak interventions. The discussion will explore why these refusals occur, whether due to budget constraints, competing priorities, fear of public perception or lack of understanding and the risks they create for patient safety.

Attendees will learn strategies for reframing requests in terms of financial impact, regulatory risk and patient outcomes, making it harder for leadership to dismiss them. The session will also cover communication techniques for maintaining professionalism under pressure, identifying and building alliances and documenting risk to create a defensible record of recommendations.

This is not a theoretical discussion , it’s a survival guide for infection prevention in hostile environments. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with tools to influence decisions, safeguard credibility and continue advancing patient safety, even when organizational support feels out of reach.

Aaron Woodall

Chief, Infection Prevention and Control, Department of Veterans Affairs

Aaron A. Woodall is an infection preventionist with nearly two decades of global experience. His career began in military combat medicine and public health efforts across Eastern Afghanistan, Europe, Middle East and Africa. His expertise spans many diverse healthcare environments.

Karen McGoldrick

Infection Preventionist, Sentara Leigh Hospital

Karen McGoldrick, MT (ASCP), CIC, CHOP, Infection Preventionist, Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia Karen has 18 years of experience in the field of Infection Prevention & Control with Sentara Healthcare, 14 of those years at Sentara Leigh Hospital and and the other four at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Karen has a BS degree in Microbiology from Texas A&M University and a BS in Medical Technology from the University of Texas at Tyler. She has been a member of the APIC Virginia Chapter Board for 16 years serving in multiple postions, incuding Chapter President in 2017, and is currently Awards chair. Karen is also a currently chair of Coastal Virginia Infection Preventionists and Epidemiologists and is serving a three year term on APIC's Annual Conference Committee. Her passion is partnering with healthcare workers to prevent healthcare associated infections and improving patient safety.

Amy Huff

Infection Preventionist, Hazel I. Findlay

Amy Huff, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP has worked at Hazel I. Findlay, a Skilled Nursing Facility in Michigan, for 35 years. She began as a Nurse Aide while completing her nursing education and spent 17 years as a floor nurse, Nurse Aide Training Program Instructor, Education Manager, and other managerial roles before stepping into the Infection Preventionist role in 2007. She has served on committees in Disaster Preparedness and Infection Prevention and Control realms. Amy enjoys learning, meeting new people, and mentoring others; she considers her CIC, LTC-CIP, and a-IPC certifications to be essential milestones in her career and encourages her peers to take these important steps. She is an APIC Faculty Member, instructing several courses. She has been a part of her Great Lakes APIC Chapter in the Membership Secretary role and feels honored to have served as a member of the APIC National Conference Committee.