Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Guidelines are one of the means by which health care organizations try to improve health care and lower its cost. Studies have shown, however, that guidelines are still not being adequately implemented. In this exploratory study, we examine the link between physicians' knowledge of and compliance with guidelines: specifically, guidelines for the treatment of three cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension, heart failure and chronic coronary heart disease [CHD]) in primary care. ⋯ These preliminary findings imply that physicians' knowledge of guidelines does not in itself lead to better guideline implementation. Further studies are needed to address this important issue.
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Multicenter Study
Nosocomial infections and multidrug-resistant organisms in Germany: epidemiological data from KISS (the Hospital Infection Surveillance System).
More than 800 hospitals and 586 intensive care units (ICUs) in Germany currently participate in a nationwide surveillance system for nosocomial infections (Krankenhaus-Infektions-Surveillance-System, KISS), which collects data on the frequency of nosocomial infections and pathogens and on the appearance of pathogens of special epidemiological importance. ⋯ Nosocomial infections are common in the ICU. The percentage of ICU patients with MDRO is low, but rising. Future preventive strategies must address this development.