Infection control in the intensive care unit.
Nosocomial infections are common in many hospital departments, but particularly so on the intensive care unit, where they affect some 20 to 30% of patients. While early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are, of course, important, perhaps the greatest challenge is in the application of techniques to limit the development of such infections. This review will briefly discuss some of the background pathophysiology and epidemiology of nosocomial infection, and then focus on general and infection-specific preventative strategies individually and as part of broader infection-control programs with infection surveillance.
Free University of Brussels, Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. jlvincen@ulb.ac.be
Jean-Louis
JL
Vincent
Marialuisa
M
Chierego
Marc
M
Struelens
Baudouin
B
Byl
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors