INTRODUCTION: ALTHOUGH ICUS CONSTITUTE LESS THAN 10% OF TOTAL BEDS IN MOSTHOSPITALS, MORE THAN 20% OF ALL NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS ARE ACQUIRED IN ICUS.ICU-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS ACCOUNT FOR SUBSTANTIAL MORBIDITY, MORTALITY, AND HOSPITAL COSTS. INFECTIONS AND SEPSIS ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN NONCARDIAC ICUS AND ACCOUNT FOR 40% OF ALL ICU EXPENDITURES. ....