ICU · icu-acquired-infection

ICU-Acquired Infection Prevention Bundle — Comprehensive

Also known as ICU infection prevention · VAP bundle · CRBSI bundle · CAUTI prevention · C. difficile prevention · WHO 5 moments hand hygiene · Nosocomial infection prevention · Healthcare-associated infection

ICU-acquired infection prevention — the comprehensive evidence-based bundle approach to preventing the 5 major nosocomial infections in ICU: VAP (ventilator-associated pneumonia), CRBSI (catheter-related bloodstream infection), CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection), C. difficile infection, and SSI (surgical site infection). Each infection has a validated prevention bundle: VAP bundle (head of bed 30-45° + minimise sedation and assess readiness to extubate daily + daily oral care with toothbrushing without routine chlorhexidine + subglottic secretion drainage when intubation is expected to be prolonged), CRBSI bundle (maximal sterile barrier precautions + chlorhexidine skin antisepsis + avoid femoral site + daily review of line necessity + chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings), CAUTI bundle (avoid unnecessary catheterisation + sterile insertion technique + remove as soon as possible + closed drainage system + daily review of necessity), C. difficile prevention (antimicrobial stewardship + hand hygiene with SOAP AND WATER [not alcohol gel — spores resistant] + contact precautions + environmental cleaning with bleach). Universal measures: WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene, aseptic technique for all procedures, antimicrobial stewardship, environmental cleaning, surveillance and feedback. Prevention is ALWAYS better than treatment — each ICU-acquired infection increases mortality, length of stay, cost, and antimicrobial resistance.