Infection in the intensive care unit (ICU)

SummaryHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a hugely topical issue, attracting unprecedented public and political interest.With regards to the ICU, both the ward environment and susceptible population make the patients particularly vulnerable to a range of infections. The causative organisms are often different to those causing disease in the community, or even for the rest of the hospital. Therefore management of the infected ICU patient is complicated and requires careful consideration. In addition, the emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms further complicates treating such patients as they tend to be more susceptible to infections with less physiological reserve and therapeutic options are frequently reduced.