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Infectious Diseases in Critical Care pp 78–84Cite as

Using Protocols To Improve the Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Infection: Focus on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Severe Sepsis

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Abstract

Translating the results of research into clinical practice in critically ill patients is a challenging endeavor and often a slow, complex process. The literature is replete with evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and treatment of infections in critically ill patients aimed to standardize care, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes [1–4]. Despite the widespread publicity of such documents, non-adherence to guidelines is readily apparent and directly impacts patient morbidity and mortality [5–7]. Explanations for the lack of guideline adherence include disagreement with interpretation of clinical trials, limited evidence in support of specific pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic treatment strategies, and simply the hesitancy to change practices at the beside.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    S. T. Micek PharmD

  2. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 660 South Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8052, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA

    M. H. Kollef MD

Authors
  1. S. T. Micek PharmD
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  2. M. H. Kollef MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Critical Care Department, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Carrer Mallafré Guasch, 4, E-43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Jordi Rello MD, PhD  & Alejandro Rodríguez MD, PhD  & 

  2. Medical Intensive Care Unit, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8052, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA

    Marin Kollef MD (Professor of Medicine and Director) (Professor of Medicine and Director)

  3. Intensive Care Department, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Carrer Mallafré Guasch, 4, E-43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Emili Díaz MD

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Micek, S.T., Kollef, M.H. (2007). Using Protocols To Improve the Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Infection: Focus on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Severe Sepsis. In: Rello, J., Kollef, M., Díaz, E., Rodríguez, A. (eds) Infectious Diseases in Critical Care. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34406-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34406-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-34405-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-34406-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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