Computerized expert systems and investigation of outbreaks of hospital-acquired infections
Joseph Watine · Laboratory Robotics and Automation · 1997
Our computerized epidemiological expert system (SIR, I2A, Montpellier, France) facilitated both detection and investigation of an outbreak of postsurgical infections with multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa involving 10 patients over 16 months. An inappropriate antibioprophylaxis facilitated the emergence of bacterial multiresistance to antibiotics but also delayed the detection of the infected patients. The usefulness of our computerized expert system is emphasized as well as its limitations, thus stressing the importance of an efficient cooperation between hygienic and surgical teams that could be based upon a change of the traditional rules in our hospital. The role of expert systems in such a change is also suggested. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.