NFECTION IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR
patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and costs. Infection and related sepsis are the leading cause of death in noncardiac ICUs, with mortality rates that reach 60% and account for approximately 40% of total ICU expenditures. Importantly, the incidence of sepsis is increasing, as is the number of consequent infection-related deaths. Most large epidemiologic studies of infection and sepsis have been conducted in North America, Europe, and Australia, with limited data from other countries. Differing definitions and different study populations make it difficult to compare study results. International data related to the prevalence, risk factors, causative microorganisms, and outcomes of infection are necessary to increase and maintain awareness of the impact of infection, to help in the development of local and international guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, to facilitate adequate and appropriate resource allocation, and to assist in the design of multicenter interventional studies.The European Prevalence of Infection in Intensive Care (EPIC) study, 14 conducted on April 29, 1992, included data from 1417 ICUs in 17 Western European countries and provided valuable information regarding the prevalence and epidemiology of infection in critically ill European patients. Fifteen years after that successfulinternationalcollaboration,the Extended Prevalence of Infection in Intensive Care (EPIC II) study was conducted to provide an up-to-date picture of the extent and patterns of infection in ICUs around the world.
METHODS
An international steering committee was established in 2006 and selected the study date, May 8, 2007. Intensive care units were invited to participate in a 1-day, prospective, multicenter point prevalence study of ICU infection. Methods for recruitment of participating institutions included direct mailings to members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, an-For editorial comment see p 2367.