Infection control for critically ill trauma patients: a systematic approach to prevention, detection, and provider feedback

Crit Care Nurs Q. 2012 Jul-Sep;35(3):241-6. doi: 10.1097/CNQ.0b013e3182542d18.

Abstract

Critically ill patients are particularly at risk for developing hospital-acquired infections. An understanding of the predisposing factors, the epidemiology of disease, and guidelines to treat and to prevent hospital-acquired infections is necessary to incorporate infection control into the daily care of the critically ill trauma patient. Although it remains a challenge, infection control programs have moved from providing surveillance data and guidelines recommendations to implementation and engagement programs aimed at a shared responsibility for hospital-acquired infections prevention. We describe a multidisciplinary approach to infection control in the critically ill trauma patient with a special focus on ventilator-associated pneumonia at a level 1 trauma and burn center.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Critical Illness
  • Cross Infection / diagnosis
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / therapy
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Washington
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy*