The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare has long been touted as a realm of limitless potential, with promises of transforming the industry through innovation and efficiency. Now, a groundbreaking proof-of-concept study led by Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, MSN, FNP, in collaboration with Timothy L. Wiemken, PhD, MPH, CIC, has unveiled a revolutionary application of AI in the realm of infection prevention—a critical cornerstone of healthcare.

In an exclusive interview, Carrico, a professor at the University of Louisville and an independent infection preventionist (IP) consultant, delves into the transformative role of AI in identifying healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The study, conducted with Wiemken, senior director of the Digital Platforms team at Pfizer and director of data science and epidemiology at Saint Louis University Institute for Vaccine Science and Policy, aimed to explore how AI could revolutionize infection surveillance—a fundamental aspect of IP activities.

Surveillance, as Carrico emphasizes, is the bedrock for understanding risk factors essential for devising effective infection control and prevention strategies. However, the labor-intensive nature of surveillance, both in terms of time and resources, necessitated the exploration of AI's potential as a crucial ally in this domain.

The key findings of the study shed light on the remarkable performance of AI-powered tools in identifying central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Carrico notes, "We were pleased because we found out that if we do a good job curating the document, that is, we give the AI agent the truth... and then we structure our questions in a format that will be able to be answered by the information provided, then it worked very, very well."

The study underscores the importance of meticulously curating data and formulating precise questions tailored to the AI system's capabilities. Carrico explains, "When I mentioned the importance of having the questions set up so the agent can answer them... we learned that as we formulate the questions that we used to template."

By harnessing AI's analytical prowess, healthcare professionals can potentially streamline infection surveillance processes, enabling quicker identification, categorization, and response to HAIs. This breakthrough not only holds promise for bolstering patient safety but also for optimizing resource allocation and enhancing overall healthcare outcomes