cover story AI and IP & C : Exploring the Next Frontier of Surveillance
cover story AI and IP & C : Exploring the Next Frontier of Surveillance
By Kelly M . Pyrek the 1950s , when mathematician and
In computer scientist Alan Turing posed the question , “ Could a man-made device act and make decisions indistinguishable from those of humans ?” he essentially launched the beginnings of a field of study that eventually became known as machine learning that is part of artificial intelligence ( AI ). The implications for the infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) sector have yet to be fully actualized and comprehended , but experts say it is already revolutionizing healthcare delivery .
Hirani , et al . ( 2024 ) observe that , “ AI has emerged as an increasingly useful and reliable tool for various applications , particularly in healthcare . It has the potential to enhance the practice of physicians by facilitating improved efficiency and organization , thus improving patient care and outcomes . For patients , AI can improve access to care , which would likely lead to improved patient satisfaction and follow-up . However , like other technological advancements , AI has many limitations and potential pitfalls that must be thoroughly characterized and addressed before it can be trusted to be further integrated into healthcare .” They add that it is essential for
AI can improve access to care , which would likely lead to improved patient satisfaction and follow-up . However , like other technological advancements , AI has many limitations and potential pitfalls that must be thoroughly characterized and addressed before it can be trusted to be further integrated into healthcare .”
clinicians to understand AI ’ s transformative potential in healthcare while acknowledging its limitations and ethical implications .
Applications of AI in Healthcare
Secinaro , et al . ( 2021 ) observe that “ AI has been a disruptive innovation in healthcare . With its sophisticated algorithms and several applications , AI has assisted doctors and medical professionals in the domains of health information systems , geocoding health data , epidemic and syndromic surveillance , predictive modeling and decision support , and medical imaging .”
One hope among experts is for AI to be applied to health services management , specifically providing support to clinicians in their daily work . Examples include potentially real-time medical information updates from journals about clinical practices , or assistance with complex but routine tasks such as healthcare-acquired infection ( HAI ) surveillance .
A vision for AI in healthcare , according to Secinaro , et al . ( 2021 ), is that it allows hospitals and all health services to work more efficiently because clinicians can access data immediately when they need it ; nurses can ensure better patient safety while administering medication ; and patients can stay informed and engaged in their care by communicating with their medical teams during hospital stays . Additionally , the researchers say AI can contribute to optimizing logistics processes within just-in-time supply systems based almost completely on predictive algorithms . They add that AI can also support the training of personnel working in health services .
Other applications of AI in healthcare include predictive medicine , relating to disease prediction and diagnosis treatment , outcome prediction and prognosis evalua-
12 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • june 2024