title: Comparing nosocomial infection rates among surgical intensive-care units: the importance of separating cardiothoracic and general surgery intensive-care units.
abstract: Among surgical intensive-care units (ICUs), we assessed differences in risk-adjusted nosocomial infection rates between cardiothoracic (CT) and general surgery ICUs, using National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance data from 1987 to 1995. Device-associated rates and average length of stay were significantly lower in CT ICUs. Comparisons of risk-adjusted nosocomial infection rates among CT ICUs should be made separately from rates from general surgery ICUs.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Keita-Perse
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Culver
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gaynes
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000145:classification*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology