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Infection Control in Intensive Care Units

Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for the Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Texas

Michelle Peninger, BSMT, CIC

Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas

Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD

Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas

For patients in intensive care units, the development of an infection is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality, and cost. These infections are largely preventable through the implementation of infection control programs. Infection control programs must focus on 3 general strategies: (1) prevention of health care-associated infections, (2) containment of pathogens that pose a health risk and/or are resistant to routine antibiotics, and (3) development of strategies to limit the emergence of resistant microorganisms through optimal and appropriate antimicrobial utilization. The purpose of this article is to review these 3 general strategies.

Key Words: Infection control • ICU • infection • antibiotics

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