Prevention of Complications

ICU-related complications can increase morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic costs of the critically ill patient. The occurrence of adverse events related to invasive procedures and medications carries significant consequences particularly in the ICU where these procedures are frequently performed. Familiarity with specific complications and their management can help reduce the rate of adverse events. This chapter provides a detailed discussion on prevention of various complications such as neurologic complications, cardiovascular complications, hematologic complications, gastrointestinal complications, renal complications, and procedure-related complications. It also provides information on infection control in ICU. The two most common device-related infections encountered in the ICU are central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.