A simple protocol to prevent external ventricular drain infections.

Background: External ventricular drains (EVDs) are associated with high rates of infection, and EVD infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To determine whether the introduction of an evidence-based EVD infection control protocol could reduce the rate of EVD infections.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of an EVD infection control protocol introduced in a tertiary care neurointensive care unit.