title: [Selective decontamination in the ICU: benefit of the doubt].
abstract: Since its introduction in 1984, selective decontamination of the digestive tract has had clear supporters and opponents. De Smet et al. conducted a large national study in 13 Dutch intensive care units, investigating the effects of the following 3 regimens on mortality: standard treatment, selective decontamination of the digestive tract and selective oropharyngeal decontamination. The results showed decontamination to have a clear benefit in terms of reducing mortality. Based on these results, decontamination should be used in all intensive care patients.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Intensive Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dennis C J J
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bergmans
authors.forename: Jan Harm
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zwaveling
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents