Antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units.
The unique nature of the intensive care unit (ICU) environment makes this part of the hospital a focus for the emergence and spread of many antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. There are ample opportunities for the cross-transmission of resistant bacteria from patient to patient, and patients are commonly exposed to broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Rates of resistance have increased for most pathogens associated with nosocomial infections among ICU patients, and rates are almost universally higher among ICU patients compared with non-ICU patients. There are many opportunities, however, to prevent the emergence and spread of these resistant pathogens through improved use of established infection control measures (i.e., patient isolation, hand washing, glove use, and appropriate gown use), and implementation of a systematic review of antimicrobial use.
Fridkin
S K
SK
Hospital Infections Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. skf0@cdc.gov rpgl@cdc.gov
Gaynes
R P
RP
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D017053:Infection Control; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents