Inside the Infection Control Upgrade with Mayo Clinic’s Bobbi Pritt

By Arunima Rajan

Bobbi S. Pritt is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and the chair of the division of clinical microbiology at Mayo Clinic. She received her medical degree from the university of Vermont college of medicine, followed by a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology. She then completed a fellowship in medical microbiology at Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, and joined the staff to direct the clinical parasitology laboratory. Dr. Pritt serves on the board of governors for the College of American Pathologists (CAP) And chairs the council on scientific affairs and the information technology leadership committee. She previously served as the chair of the cap microbiology committee during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through her various roles, she has led efforts to provide testing options and associated quality assurance tools for numerous seasonal, established, and emerging pathogens. In an interview with Arunima Rajan, she says that since COVID, hospitals around the world have strengthened their infection control systems. 

What is a hospital acquired infection?

A hospital-acquired infection (often called an HAI) is an infection that a person picks up while they’re in the hospital, usually after 48 hours or more. In other words, it means the infection wasn’t something they had when they were admitted. HAIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that live in the hospital environment or on medical equipment. They often happen when a person is already sick or has a medical device like a catheter, IV line, or breathing tube which can allow germs to enter the body. Common examples include urinary tract infections, surgical wound infections, and pneumonia from ventilators. 

Which are the points in a patient's journey where they can acquire infections?

Unfortunately, patients can pick up infections at many different points during their hospital stay. This might happen when a patient is first admitted, during surgery, or when tubes or catheters are placed in the body to deliver fluids or help with breathing. Even simple things like wound care and dressing changes can carry some risk if procedures aren’t done carefully. Basically, any time the skin or mucous membrane barrier is broken, or a medical device goes into the body, there’s a chance for germs to enter and cause infection. That’s why hospitals work so hard on infection prevention, since even small lapses can let germs spread quickly in settings where people are vulnerable. 

What are the common mistakes that hospital do in their infection control protocols?

Hospitals do a lot to keep patients safe, but mistakes still happen. Some common mistakes hospitals make include not washing hands properly between every patient contact, reusing or not fully sterilizing medical instruments, or not isolating patients with contagious infections quickly enough. Sometimes staff may skip steps when they’re busy, or there is poor communication between teams, which can lead to lapses in infection control. These mistakes can undermine even well-designed infection control programs by dedicated health care workers. Therefore, hospitals constantly train staff and run safety checks to catch these lapses early. 

Post COVID, what are the changes/trends in hospital infection control management across the world?

Since COVID, hospitals around the world have strengthened their infection control systems. There’s now more focus on air quality, masking, and better cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Many hospitals have also implemented digital systems to track infections in real time and spot outbreaks faster. There’s more investment in PPE stockpiles, disinfection technology like UV cleaning, and national infection control programs. Overall, hospitals are taking a more proactive, prevention-first approach rather than relying on reactive measures. 

What are the advancements in tech, beyond hand hygiene, which can help hospitals, even in countries like India to manage it?

Beyond hand hygiene, there are some great tech advancements helping hospitals manage infections better. Things like UV-C robots and hydrogen peroxide foggers for automatic room disinfection, digital tracking systems that flag infection risks in real time, and smart sensors that monitor air quality or surface cleanliness. Some hospitals also use AI tools to predict outbreaks or identify patterns in patient data. These tools are becoming smaller, cheaper, and cloud-based, so even hospitals in developing countries can use them. Some are even exploring wearable devices that track hygiene or monitor patient vital signs to spot infections sooner. 

How costly is ignoring HAI for a hospital?

Ignoring hospital-acquired infections can be very costly and dangerous. Patients with hospital-acquired infections often need longer hospital stays, stronger antibiotics, or intensive care, which all drive up costs. For hospitals, the impact goes beyond money. High infection rates can lead to penalties, lawsuits, and loss of trust. Word travels fast, and patients naturally want to go where they feel safe. 

From a national perspective, HAIs are a big problem. The World Health Organization estimates that hundreds of millions of people worldwide get healthcare-associated infections each year, and many of these could be prevented. The good news is that hospitals with strong prevention programs not only save lives but also save millions of dollars in the long run. 


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