 extending outbreak investigation with machine learning and graph theory benefits of new tools with application to a nosocomial outbreak of a multidrug resistant organism from january 1 2018 until july 31 2020 a hospital network in switzerland experienced an outbreak of vancomycin resistant enterococci vre the goal of their study was to improve existing processes by applying machine learning and graph theoretical methods to a nosocomial outbreak investigation risk factors for being a vre carrier were identified along with 3 important links with vre healthcare personnel medical devices patient rooms the author concludes that data science is likely to provide a better understanding of outbreaks but interpretations require data maturity and potential confounding factors must be considered 