Final answer:
Hospitals have made significant changes to prevent future outbreaks, including isolating patients, stringent hygiene practices, equipment disinfection, air system maintenance, implementing procedure checklists, training medical staff, and proactive testing for potential exposures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hospitals have implemented various changes to avoid future outbreaks and ensure the safety of both patients and staff. Critical steps include the isolation of infected patients to prevent the spread of contagions, the adherence to strict hand hygiene practices, and thorough disinfection of surfaces and equipment. Additionally, to prevent air-borne infections, comprehensive cleaning and regular maintenance of air conditioning systems have been established.
In response to outbreaks linked to human error, hospitals introduced checklists for procedures like the insertion of central intravenous lines in ICU situations which dramatically reduced infection rates. The reinforcement of training for medical personnel was also a key change, along with the monitoring of potentially exposed individuals for signs of infection. In cases of potential exposure to infections like HIV, hospitals took proactive steps to test patients that were at risk.
These changes reflect a broader commitment to stringent public health practices within hospital settings, aimed at reducing the risk of future outbreaks and ensuring patient safety.