Abstract
Objective: To review and analyze the main risk factors that predispose infections by multidrug-resistant microorganisms in critically ill patients, relating them to mortality, as well as assessing their prevention. Bibliographic review: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is a significant problem in medical practice and is associated with scenarios in which individuals are subjected to therapeutic conduct and long-term care. In this perspective, critically ill patients become vulnerable and are increasingly inserted in the increasing numbers of morbimortality associated with antimicrobial resistance, which is mainly promoted by gram-negative bacteria. In addition to the indiscriminate use of this medication, other factors such as advanced age, male gender, immunocompromise and comorbidities are associated with this phenomenon. Final considerations: Increased awareness of multidrug resistance as well as the importance of its prevention and control of individual and environmental risk factors that can trigger it can help to reduce the morbidity and mortality of critically ill patients, who are more exposed to this problem. Effective interventions such as narrowing the use of antibiotics in the face of diagnostic results, developing infection control practices in the hospital environment, promoting their judicious use and avoiding harmful consequences resulting from multidrug resistance.