To evaluate the effect of an infection control program on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and associated mortality.

Prospective study.

A 2,000-bed, university-affiliated hospital in Italy.

All patients admitted to the general intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 48 hours between January 2000 and December 2001.

The infection control team (ICT) collected data on the following from all patients: demographics, origin, diagnosis, severity score, underlying diseases, invasive procedures, HAI, isolated microorganisms, and antibiotic susceptibility.

Regular ICT surveillance meetings were held with ICU personnel. Criteria for invasive procedures, particularly central venous catheters (CVCs), were modified. ICU care was restricted to a team of specialist physicians and nurses and ICU antimicrobial therapy policies were modified.

Five hundred thirty-seven patients were included in the study (279 during 2000 and 258 in 2001). Between 2000 and 2001, CVC exposure (82.8% vs 71.3%; P < .05) and mechanical ventilation duration (11.2 vs 9.6 days) decreased. The HAI rate decreased from 28.7% in 2000 to 21.3% in 2001 (P < .05). The crude mortality rate decreased from 41.2% in 2000 to 32.9% in 2001 (P < .05). The most commonly isolated microorganisms were nonfermentative gram-negative organisms and staphylococci (particularly MRSA). Mortality was associated with infection (relative risk, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-2.59; P <.05).

Routine surveillance for HAI, coupled with new measures to prevent infections and a revised policy for antimicrobial therapy, was associated with a reduction in ICU HAIs and mortality.