[Hygiene measures in the intensive care station]

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2014 Nov;109(8):627-39. doi: 10.1007/s00063-014-0438-0.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Medical personnel in intensive care units (ICU) deal with critically ill patients and a high work load. Patients face a higher risk of acquiring a nosocomial infection during their ICU stay. Especially, invasively ventilated patients are threatened. A catheter-related bloodstream infection might even lead to more severe complications. The number of multiresistant pathogens continues to rise; thus, comprehensive infection control measures are crucial to avoid pathogen transmission and infection. The most important measure is hand disinfection. With a proper personnel-patient ratio, educational programs, and infection control bundles, it is possible to reduce infection rates and enhance compliance among health care workers.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Catheter-Related Infections / prevention & control
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Hand Disinfection / methods*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control