title: Infection control in the intensive care unit.
abstract: It is critical for health care personnel to recognize and appreciate the detrimental impact of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections. The economic, clinical, and social expenses to patients and hospitals are overwhelming. To limit the incidence of ICU-acquired infections, aggressive infection control measures must be implemented and enforced. Researchers and national committees have developed and continue to develop evidence-based guidelines to control ICU infections. A multifaceted approach, including infection prevention committees, antimicrobial stewardship programs, daily reassessments-intervention bundles, identifying and minimizing risk factors, and continuing staff education programs, is essential. Infection control in the ICU is an evolving area of critical care research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma/Burns and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St. Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Mohamed F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma/Burns and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St. Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: raskari@partners.org.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Askari
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Health care personnel; ICU-acquired infections; Infection control; Intensive care unit