Preventing and treating critical care infections

Priya Mehta

doi:10.35841/ bmcr-9.4.222

Opinion Article - Biology & Medicine Case Reports (2025) Volume 9, Issue 4

Preventing and treating critical care infections

Priya Mehta^*

Department of Infectious Diseases, Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, India

*Corresponding Author:: Priya Mehta
Department of Infectious Diseases
Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, India.
E-mail: priya.mehta@iims.ac.in

Received : 04-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. AABMCR-222; Editor assigned : 08-Sep-2025, PreQC No. AABMCR-222(PQ); Reviewed : 26-Sep-2025, QC No AABMCR-222; Revised : 07-Oct-2025, Manuscript No. AABMCR-222(R); Published : 16-Oct-2025 , DOI : 10.35841/ bmcr-9.4.222

Citation: Mehta P. Preventing and treating critical care infections. aabmcr. 2025;09(04):222.

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Introduction

Managing infectious complications in critically ill patients is a major challenge, significantly impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs[1].

Preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) remains a cornerstone of patient safety in healthcare[2].

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious infectious complication in mechanically ventilated patients, contributing significantly to prolonged ICU stays and adverse outcomes[3].

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a major healthcare-associated infection, presenting a wide spectrum of disease from mild diarrhea to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis[4].

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are preventable, yet significant, infectious complications in hospitalized patients, particularly those in critical care settings[5].

Sepsis and septic shock represent life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection[6].

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health crisis, complicating the treatment of common infectious diseases and leading to higher morbidity and mortality[7].

Immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplant recipients, face a heightened risk of diverse and often severe infectious complications due to their immunosuppressive regimens[8].

Postoperative infections represent a significant burden on surgical patients, leading to increased hospital stays, higher costs, and poorer functional outcomes[9].

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a substantial threat to patient safety and public health[10].

Conclusion

Managing infectious complications in critically ill patients is a major challenge, impacting outcomes and costs. This requires vigilance, early diagnosis, and antimicrobial stewardship. Preventing surgical site infections is key to patient safety, emphasizing pre, intra, and post-operative bundled approaches including proper patient preparation and meticulous surgical technique. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious complication in ventilated patients, addressed through care bundles like head-of-bed elevation, oral care, and tailored antibiotic therapy. Clostridioides difficile infection is a significant healthcare-associated infection, managed with rapid diagnostics, appropriate antimicrobials, and infection control to prevent recurrence. Central line-associated bloodstream infections are preventable through comprehensive bundles of care, including hand hygiene, sterile precautions, and meticulous line maintenance. Sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening conditions requiring timely recognition, rapid broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and vasopressor support, guided by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis, mitigated by optimizing antibiotic use through stewardship programs and robust infection prevention and control. Immunocompromised patients, like transplant recipients, face heightened infection risks, necessitating specific prophylactic strategies, rapid diagnostics, and targeted therapies. Postoperative infections burden surgical patients, requiring identification of risk factors, evidence-based prophylaxis, sterile technique, and prompt treatment. Healthcare-associated infections broadly threaten patient safety, demanding stringent hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, personal protective equipment, and surveillance to reduce incidence.