Marin Kollef

..The use of evidence-based bundles targeting the reduction of VACs, as well as the conduct of prospective studies showing that VACs are preventable complications, are reasonable first-steps in addressing this important clinical problem...

..To evaluate the economic impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) on length of stay and hospital costs. Design. Retrospective matched cohort study...

..We analyze the impact on medical outcomes and healthcare costs if improved adequacy of antimicrobial therapy is achieved by providing immediate coverage after positive PCR reports...

..Our objective was to describe a cohort of patients with sepsis in terms of their measured immune status...

..Although vancomycin has long been considered a first-line therapy for serious MRSA infections, multiple concerns with this agent have opened the door for existing and investigational agents demonstrating efficacy in this role...

..Candidemia results in substantial morbidity and mortality, especially if initial antifungal therapy is delayed or is inappropriate; however, candidemia is difficult to diagnose because of its nonspecific presentation...

..Inappropriate antifungal therapy (IAT) is known to increase a patient's risk for death. We hypothesized that in an ICU cohort it would also adversely affect resource utilization...

..Ability to predict infection with MDR organisms varies, and the relative frequency of MDR organisms varies by geographic region. Initial treatment is broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics...

..Regarding bloodstream infection (BSI), little data exist differentiating healthcare-associated bacteremia (HCAB) from community-acquired bacteremia (CAB). We studied the epidemiology and outcomes associated with HCAB...

..The use of evidence-based bundles targeting ventilator-associated pneumonia seems to be a reasonable first step in addressing this important clinical problem...

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..The results then were compared with the same survey completed by 138 infectious disease and critical care physicians and are the basis of this article...

..This review focuses on the use of protocols in the ICU setting and how they can best be utilized to improve patient outcomes...

..A large body of scientific literature about HAP now exists. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning severe HAP with an emphasis on recent advances in its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention...

..To identify the determinants of hospital mortality among patients with septic shock receiving appropriate initial antibiotic treatment...

..Despite the ability to visualize the needle and anatomy, adverse events still occur. The authors hypothesized that the technique has limitations among certain patients and clinical scenarios...

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..CONCLUSION: Kinetic therapy helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and lobar atelectasis in critically ill patients. Costs to rent the bed may be offset by the potential cost reduction associated with kinetic therapy...

..Preliminary study of an early warning system component and a wireless clinical monitoring system component demonstrate the feasibility of this two-tiered approach...

..To determine the net benefit and costs associated with gown use in preventing transmission of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)...

..However, septic shock attributed to Candida infection and its determinants of outcome have not been previously evaluated in a large patient population...

..The drug has shown little resistance in vitro and to be safe and well tolerated in 800 patients with cancer treated for up to 6 wk...

..The purpose of this study was to describe adverse event rates among operators using the USIJ approach, and the landmark SC vein approach without US...

..Make objectives time bound; set dates for collecting baseline and periodic data, and a completion date for evaluating the success of the intervention...

..One unit instituted enhanced environmental cleaning with a hypochlorite solution in all rooms, whereas the other unit used hypochlorite solution only in rooms of patients with CDAD. The CDAD rates decreased in both units...

..Antibacterial resistance is minimised by narrowing the antibacterial regimen once the pathogens and their susceptibility profiles are determined, and by employing the shortest course of therapy clinically acceptable...

..CONCLUSIONS: Use of a physician and a clinical nurse specialist focused on improving communication with patients and patients' families reduced lengths of stay and resource utilization...

..The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to further characterize VAT in terms of incidence, etiology, and impact on patient outcomes...