Judicious use of antimicrobials in the critical care setting.
This article reviews the judicious use of antibiotics in an intensive care setting. Risk factors for both infection and antimicrobial resistance are discussed. Various methods hospitals can apply to promote the optimal use of antibiotics also are reviewed. These methods include empiric therapy, antibiotic cycling, treatment guidelines and protocols, and antibiotic susceptibility monitoring.
Horner
Megan
M
Northside Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30342-1611, USA. megan.horner@northside.com
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents