Automated Tool Identifies and Responds to Hospital Outbreaks, Study Finds

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This large, real-world study spanned 82 hospitals across multiple states and was led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, HCA Healthcare, University of California, Irvine (UCI) Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Contagious bacteria and other pathogens can spread within hospitals, increasing the risk of harmful infections in patients. Although hospitals and health systems strive to prevent infections and minimize outbreak opportunities, no standardized approach exists for detecting transmission. Early detection is crucial for initiating a rapid response to prevent outbreaks.

“Despite significant progress in reducing healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, including those caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, they remain a challenge for the industry and can present as clusters signaling potential transmission to patients,” said Joseph Perz, DrPH, MA, Senior Advisor for Public Health Programs in the CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, and a committee member for the CDC’s Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections. “The CLUSTER trial provides evidence that early detection powered by automation tools and quick action can prevent outbreaks from growing.”

The study underscores the potential of automated technology to enhance early detection and response efforts, thereby reducing the risk of hospital outbreaks and improving patient safety.