Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority to Use AI in Fight Against Superbugs
The Hospital Authority in Hong Kong plans to address the rise of two superbugs, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and Candida auris, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The authority attributes the increase in these multidrug-resistant organisms to a reallocation of resources to combat COVID-19 over the past three years. Due to the pandemic, isolation wards were primarily allocated to COVID-19 patients, leaving fewer wards available for those infected with superbugs.
The prevalence of these superbugs has also been exacerbated by the increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics during the pandemic. The antibiotic resistance rate of vancomycin-resistant enterococci has risen from 0.22% in 2021 to 1.2% in 2023. Similarly, the number of Candida auris carriers has increased from nearly 200 in 2020 to over 300 by October 2023.
AI Pilot Program to Determine Antibiotic Prescription Necessity
To combat this issue, the Hospital Authority will launch an AI pilot program at two hospitals in January 2024. The AI will analyze clinical data to determine the necessity of prescribing antibiotics. The program will initially focus on one type of antibiotic and then expand to include eight other types and 17 public hospitals.
This is not the first time AI has been utilized in the fight against antibiotic resistance. In May 2023, researchers from MIT and McMaster University used AI to identify a new antibiotic capable of killing drug-resistant bacteria.
Hot Take: AI’s Role in Combating Superbugs
The use of artificial intelligence in combating superbugs is a significant step forward in addressing antibiotic resistance. By analyzing clinical data, AI can help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions about prescribing antibiotics, reducing the unnecessary use of these drugs and potentially slowing down the development of superbugs. This innovative approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. As AI continues to evolve and be integrated into healthcare practices, its role in fighting against antibiotic resistance will become increasingly crucial.
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