Key points ■ Fungal infections are a leading cause of nosocomial infections in patients, in particular those residing in the intensive care unit (ICU). ■ Risk factors for developing fungal infections include diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, previous antibiotic use, prolonged ICU…
Surgeons manage infections that require invasive intervention (e.g., complicated intra-abdominal infections [cIAIs] and skin/soft tissue infections [cSSTIs]), but also surgical patients afflicted by nosocomial infections. Therefore, the surgeon must be concerned with the prevention and treatment of all infections that…
Key points ■ Mechanical ventilation (MV) must support gas exchange and promote patient comfort while minimizing lung injury due to elevated airway pressures. ■ Protective, low tidal volume ventilation reduces morbidity and mortality rates in patients following acute respiratory distress…
Key points ■ New technology as illustrated in the next chapter provides several modes by which a patient may be ventilated based on the fundamentals of mechanical ventilation (MV), with the goal of improved gas exchange, better patient comfort, and…