Effectiveness of Quality Improvement Strategies in Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections Among Neurosurgical Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review

Background

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major and largely preventable cause of morbidity, excess mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and escalating healthcare costs in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. Neurosurgical patients are particularly vulnerable because of frequent exposure to invasive devices such as external ventricular drains (EVDs), central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and mechanical ventilation, combined with impaired neurological status and prolonged ICU stays. Although quality improvement (QI) strategies have been widely implemented across critical care settings, evidence specific to neurosurgical and neurocritical care populations remains fragmented.