Nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit

Nosocomial infections are associated with a significant morbidity, mortality, resource and financial burden in ICU. Critical care patients are at an increased risk of developing infections compared to patients elsewhere in hospital due to underlying comorbidities of the patient, the acute disease process and treatments required. There is a strong association with indwelling devices in the ICU population. As such, daily review of ongoing requirement for the invasive device and the application of care bundles, as well as the introduction of local policies targeting hand hygiene and infection control protocols to manage infections have been promoted. Ventilator-acquired pneumonia and catheter-related infections are most common. Management of these frequently involves empirical antimicrobials, although targeted therapy based on culture sensitivities and input from the local microbiology team and infection control team are suggested. There is an increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance in part due to the clinical condition of ICU patients and the frequent use of empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics.