[Disinfection, Bathing, Dressing: Avoiding Infections in the Intensive Care Unit]. / Desinfektion, Waschen, Kleben: Vermeiden von Infektionen auf der Intensivstation.

In German intensive care units, 10 000 to 15 000 patients die annually due to nosocomial infections. Estimated 20 to 30% of these infections are preventable. Disinfecting is one of the most effective measures to avoid these infections. Hand disinfection in particular is one of the most important components to prevent infections. Another tool is whole body bathing, but it is rarely used in intensive care units. Antiseptics-impregnated dressings represent a further possibility for reducing device-associated infections. However, recently there has been an increase in reports of resistance not only to antibiotics but also to antiseptics. Proper hygienic work and the rational use of antiseptics is a requirement for avoiding nosocomial infections and can reduce the development of resistance.