Spillover effects on mortality within randomized concurrent controlled trials of antimicrobial-based infection prevention interventions among the mechanically ventilated patient population. A reappraisal of Cochrane review data

The findings here implicate spillover increasing VAP and mortality incidences and dispersion within control groups of topical antimicrobial intervention RCCTs. Hence, any inference of prevention is spurious. Moreover, these topical antimicrobial interventions increase mortality and are unsafe for ICU populations.