Special article The APIC research agenda: Results from a national survey Marc-Oliver Wright MT (ASCP), MS, CIC a, *, Eileen Carter RN, BSN b , Monika Pogorzelska PhD, MPH b , Cathryn Murphy RN, PhD, CIC c, d, e, f , Marilyn Hanchett RN, MA, CPHQ, CIC g , Patricia W. Stone PhD, RN, FAAN b a NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL b Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY c Department of Infection Control, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia d Department of Infectious Diseases, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia e Department of Microbiology, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia f School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia g APIC Headquarters, Washington, DC Key Words: Research priorities Infection prevention research Background: Research is an integral component of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Strategic Plan 2020. As the role of the infection preventionist (IP) has evolved toward consumers and implementers of research, it becomes increasingly necessary to assess which topics require further evidence and how best APIC can assist IPs. In 2010, APIC determined that the research priorities first described in 2000 needed to be re-evaluated. Methods: A 33-question Web-based survey was developed and distributed via e-mail to APIC members in March 2011. The survey contained sections inquiring about respondents’ demographics, familiarity with implementation science, and infection prevention research priorities. Priorities identified by a Delphi study 10 years ago were re-ranked, and open-ended items were used to identify new research priorities and understand how APIC could best serve its members in relation to research. Results: Seven hundred one members responded. Behavioral management science, surveillance stan- dards, and infection prevention resource optimization were the highest ranked priorities and relatively unchanged from 2000. Proposed additional research topics focused on achieving standardization in infection prevention practices and program resource allocation. The majority of respondents described APIC’s role in the field of research as a disseminator of low-cost, highly accessible education to its members. Conclusion: This report should be used as a roadmap for APIC leadership as it provides suggestions on how APIC may best direct the association’s research program. The major research priorities described and ranked in 2000 continue to challenge IPs. APIC can best serve its members by disseminating research findings in a cost-effective and easily accessed manner. Recurrent assessments of research priorities can help guide researchers and policy makers and help determine which topics will best support successful infection prevention processes and outcomes. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a costly patient safety problem affecting approximately 1.7 million patients each year. 1,2 With this knowledge, and the goal to reduce health care costs and improve quality, there have been several institutional, regional, and national initiatives put in place often expanding the role of the infection preventionist (IP) and making it more complex. 3,4 To help IPs better perform their role and understand effective strategies to prevent and control infections, relevant research findings that translate to clinical practice are needed. 5 For these reasons, research continues to be an integral compo- nent of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Strategic Plan 2020. Guided by a task force of expert researchers, relevant APIC leadership, and grassroots members (see list of task force members), the association coordi- nates research initiatives with the primary aim of identifying implementable infection prevention solutions, which will better serve the needs of IPs. * Address correspondence to Marc-Oliver Wright, MT (ASCP), MS, CIC, North- Shore University HealthSystem, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Burch 124, Evanston, IL 60201. E-mail address: MWright@northshore.org (M.-O. Wright). Conflicts of interest: None to report. Contents lists available at ScienceDirect American Journal of Infection Control journal homepage: www.ajicjournal.org American Journal of Infection Control 0196-6553/$00.00 - Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2012.03.005 American Journal of Infection Control 40 (2012) 309-13