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Gut sterilization to prevent nosocomial infection
1Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
New Horizons (Baltimore, Md.)
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) effectively reduces pathogenic bacteria colonization and nosocomial respiratory infections in ICU patients. However, SDD
Area of Science:
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care
Background:
- Nosocomial infections, especially respiratory tract infections, prolong ICU stays and increase mortality.
- Oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal colonization by Gram-negative bacteria predicts pneumonia development.
- Targeting pathogenic organisms in the upper GI tract aims to prevent infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) in preventing nosocomial infections.
- To assess the impact of SDD on bacterial colonization and patient outcomes in critically ill individuals.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 19 recently published studies on SDD.
- Analysis of SDD's effect on pathogenic bacterial colonization.
- Assessment of SDD's impact on nosocomial respiratory tract infections and mortality.
Main Results:
- SDD significantly reduces colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
- SDD demonstrably decreases the incidence of nosocomial respiratory tract infections.
- A significant reduction in mortality has not been conclusively proven with SDD.
Conclusions:
- Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract is effective in reducing bacterial colonization and respiratory infections in the ICU.
- Further research is needed to confirm the impact of SDD on overall mortality in critically ill patients.