Risk Factors for Infections in Trauma Patients

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to investigate the pattern of factors, which contribute to trigger and/or aggravate nosocomial infections in trauma patients in order to better prevent and treat such complications in those frail patients.

Recent Findings

Trauma-related deaths have a tri-modal distribution, the third spike is commonly defined as the "late deaths" occurring after days or weeks and is due to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Hospitalized trauma patients with at least a single infection have a higher risk of mortality. Infections lead to a worse functional status and, in elderly patients, lower scores in social function, vitality, emotional, and general health. In those patients, the need for health care services and costs grows. Infection prevention in trauma patients represents a fundamental factor in improving outcomes. Every effort in preventing and treating them should be done.

Summary

The reduction of unnecessary invasive devices use and the close monitoring of the patient's vital parameters are the cornerstones of prevention and treatment in order to promptly treat the infection before the progression toward systemic symptoms and sepsis. The knowledge of both the risk factors and the potential pathogens may help physicians in preventing both the nosocomial post-traumatic infections and the antibiotic overuse, which induces harmful drug resistances by selecting multidrug-resistant micro-organisms.

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