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Use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract in United Kingdom intensive care units *
Author(s) -
Bastin A. J.,
Ryanna K. B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2008.05676.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care , digestive tract , human decontamination , protocol (science) , intensive care medicine , antibiotics , alternative medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , biology
Summary The use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) remains controversial despite several large randomised‐controlled trials and meta‐analyses. A postal survey of intensive care units in the United Kingdom was conducted to document current use of SDD, and to identify factors influencing this practice. The response rate was 71%. The vast majority (182 units, 95%) do not use SDD mainly because practising clinicians do not believe it works or that there is not enough evidence (51%), and because of concerns about antibiotic resistance (47%). Of the 10 units using SDD, three apply it to all intubated patients and five do not use intravenous antibiotics in their protocol.