Objectives To review the causes and extent of hospital-associated infectious diarrhea and associated risks in the general hospital ward and ICU, to compare microorganisms with similar symptoms in order to aid in recognition that will lead to timely and appropriate treatment and control measures, and to propose infection prevention protocols that could decrease human process errors in the ICU. Design Literature review describing epidemiology, comparison of microbial characteristics for potential hospital-associated enteric pathogens, diagnosis, and prevention, especially if important in the ICU, and particularly in regard to Clostridium difficile . Results Enteric organisms that most commonly cause hospital-associated infectious diarrhea in acute care settings and the ICU are C. difficile , rotavirus, and norovirus, although others may also be important, particularly in developing countries. Conclusions In order to successfully recognize and control infectious diarrhea in the ICU, intensivists should be aware that epidemiology, risks and prevention measures may differ between these microorganisms. In addition, intensivists should be ready to implement systems changes related to notification, isolation precautions and prevention and environmental cleaning in the ICU.
【저자키워드】 prevention, ICU, Control, Norovirus, rotavirus, Clostridium difficile, Pseudo-outbreak, Hospital-associated diarrhea, fulminant colitis,