Opportunistic Fungal Infections in Critical Care Units.
Fungal infections are rare compared with bacterial infections, but they are on the increase in critical care units. Diagnosis can be difficult, resulting in increased mortality. Immunocompromised patients are at higher risk for fungal infections, including organ transplant, oncology, and HIV/AIDS patients. Fatigue and fever are common symptoms that require critical care nurses to remain vigilant in assessment to identify at-risk patients and promote use of timely cultures and appropriate treatments for fungal infections. Critical care nurses can contribute to decreasing risk for fungal infections by controlling glucose levels, decreasing the use of invasive lines, and preventing unnecessary antibiotic use.
Department of Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Center for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A JBI Center of Excellence, 1900 Gravier Street, 4A21, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. Electronic address: dgarbe@lsuhsc.edu.
Deborah D
DD
Garbee
Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Center for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A JBI Center of Excellence, 1900 Gravier Street, 5A10, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Stephanie S
SS
Pierce
Nursing Department, School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Center for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A JBI Center of Excellence, 1900 Gravier Street, 4B17, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Jennifer
J
Manning
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D058365:Candidiasis, Invasive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D003422:Critical Care; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006660:Histoplasmosis; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
Aspergillus; Candida; Coccidioidomycosis; Critical care; Cryptococcus; Histoplasmosis; Invasive fungal infections; Pneumocystis jirovecii