Exploiting Electronic Data to Advance Knowledge and Management of Severe Infections

Purpose of Review: To identify opportunities and recent advances in the use of multicentric digital data sources and networks to investigate the epidemiology and management of patients with infections admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Recent Findings: Electronic surveillance systems for a range of serious infections have been reported from large cohorts with evident improvements in efficiency, objectivity, and comprehensiveness of coverage as compared to traditional methods. Electronic data, most notably from electronic health records, has been used to define the epidemiology and outcomes of severe infections in several settings and conditions and has facilitated population-based evaluation. Automated alerts and notifications hold promise to identify patients at risk for sepsis and bloodstream infection although demonstration of efficacy in interventional trials is needed. Summary: Exploitation of electronic data in ICUs has led to a better understanding of the epidemiology of severe infections and holds promise for future interventional clinical trials.