Risques et maîtrise des infections nosocomiales en réanimation : texte d'orientation SRLF/SFAR

Intensive care units (ICUs), the “epicentre of resistance to antimicrobials”, are - and likely will remain - the subpecialty where the highest rates of health-care associated infections are recorded. This is obviously due to the combination of several factors, including the high utilization rate of invasive devices, the relative and transient immunosuppression associated with acute severe illness, and the increasing frequency in an aging population of associated comorbidities. Nevertheless, infection rates have been decreasing in ICUs and elsewhere, contrarily to the message all too often transmitted to the public by the lay press and media when highlighting episodes of infection. Clear and honest information of the public on questions related to healthcare associated infection is nowadays mandatory. This joint SRLF/SFAR task force document provides basic information on the pathophysiology, risk factors, measures of infection rates and their interpretation, and currently effective preventive measures. Intensivists have a long tradition of research on nosocomial infections, and have conducted a number of important studies in this field; positive results obtained in some areas such as antimicrobial resistance are encouraging. Markers of processes and results obtained proposed by the task force should provide ICUs with the means to demonstrate their commitment to prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.