Table 1 Summary of the different phases and interventions during the study period
Period | Surgical ICU | Medical ICU |
|---|---|---|
January 2003 to October 2003 (includes phase I, which started in April 2003) | Screening and pre-emptive isolation of high-risk patients only No discharge screening Conventional culture methods | Screening of high-risk patients only No pre-emptive isolation No discharge screening Conventional culture methods |
November 2003 to March 2004 (phase II) | Systematic on-admission and discharge screening policy Extension of pre-emptive isolation to all patients Rapid PCR technique for admission screening | Systematic on-admission and discharge screening policy No pre-emptive isolation Rapid PCR technique for admission screening |
April 2004 to August 2005 (phase III) | Systematic on-admission and discharge screening policy General pre-emptive isolation Rapid PCR technique for admission screening | Systematic on-admission and discharge screening policy General pre-emptive isolation Rapid PCR technique for admission screening |