Guideline for the management of nosocomial infections in South Africa

Abstract

Objective: To write a guideline for the management and prevention of nosocomial infections in South Africa in view of the following: i) nosocomial infections are a common and increasing problem globally, including South Africa; ii) widely varying standards of prevention and management of these important infections; iii) increasing and emerging antimicrobial resistance among commonly isolated pathogens, and iv) the significant economic burden of these infections on the healthcare system as well as their impact on patient morbidity and mortality. The main aims of the guideline are to provide recommendations for the initial choice of antimicrobial agents and the appropriate management of these infections encompassing the following conditions: i) nosocomial pneumonia, healthcare-associated pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia; (ii) nosocomial bloodstream infections; (iii) nosocomial intravascular infections; (iv) nosocomial urinary tract infections; (v) nosocomial intra-abdominal infections; and (vi)...