The effects of selective decontamination in Dutch Intensive Care Units

Infections are an important complication in the treatment of critical ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and are associated with increased mortality, morbidity and health care costs. Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) and Selective Oropharyngeal Decontamination (SOD) are powerful strategies to reduce the incidence of ICU-acquired infections. SDD consists of a mouth paste and suspension consisting of tobramycin, colistin and amphoterine B that are applied every six hours from ICU-admission until ICU-discharge. In addition, SDD-patients receive systemic antibiotics,... Mehr ...