Making Wise Choices When Incorporating Technology for Infection Control Prevention

Abstract

Healthcare workers are challenged with providing quality care in a variety of clinical settings, while optimizing the use of available resources. Although various novel approaches in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have been introduced, best practices have yet to be consolidated. The use of sophisticated technology such as antiinfective devices can improve yields and reduce nosocomial infections while optimizing the use of staff time, but we would emphasize that this benefit is modest in most cases, and is easily undone when the focus of concern lies not in the attention to proper aseptic technique, judicious use, and adequate clinical setting for these devices, but on poor implementation that relies only on their infection-prevention properties. This paper intends to review recent publications in key target areas regarding the prevention of HAIs and to discuss the incorporation of technology to achieve overall improvement in the healthcare setting. PurposeHealthcare workers are challenged with providing quality care in a variety of clinical settings, while optimizing the use of available resources. As physicians, we seek to offer our patients the best possible medical attention, and making use of available evidence is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, the high cost of some of the industry's technological interventions may restrict their applicability.Certain advances in infection control practices and crosscontamination prevention have been difficult to implement, especially when low adherence, varying protocols, and equipment availability are taken into account. Although there have been novel approaches to preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), best practices have yet to be consolidated. This paper will review recent publications in key target areas regarding the prevention of HAIs and will discuss the incorporation of technology to achieve overall improvement in the healthcare setting.