Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in the Icu

It has been repeatedly stated that oral care is important in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Endotracheal intubation predisposes patients to developing VAP. The tube acts as a conduit from the mouth to the lungs – a perfect track for bacteria to descend upon. Khezeri, et al. (2014) suggest that “the presence of an endotracheal tube (ETT) inhibits normal coughing, normal swallowing, and the protection of the trachea contact by epiglottis closure.” In addition, an endotracheal tube keeps the patients mouth open – leading to dryness. Bacteria are not washed away by saliva. Also, Landgraf, et al. (2017) mention that the presence of an endotracheal tube in the mouth causes “changes in the oral epithelium” which “might indicate risk for infection in intensive care patients

Critically ill patients who are intubated on mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours of are at an increased risk of 6 to 21 times of developing ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Patients intubated for lesser than 24 hours are at 3 times the risk of acquiring VAP.15

The prevention of VAP through standardized care can reduce mortality rates, reduce mechanical ventilation days, and decrease costs and improve patient outcome.

Nardi (2012) has found the following: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) in the United States and is responsible for 25% of the infections that occur in intensive care units (ICUs). VAP is associated with increases in death rates, lengths of stay, and healthcare costs. (p. 41) As frontline caregivers and advocates for their patients, nurses need to understand the basics of VAP, risk factors for this type of pneumonia, and strategies that may avoid the

According to Hunter (2012, p.40) “VAP is a hospital acquired pneumonia that occurs 48 hours or more after tracheal intubation or acute tracheostomisation”. VAP is one of the most common nosocomial infection responsible for one third of mortal respiratory infections in European ICUs (Adib-Hajbaghery et al. 2011).

To encourage physicians, ICU nurses, and respiratory therapist to use the ventilator associated pneumonia bundle in all ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

Ventilator - associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital acquired infection (HAI) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates for ventilated patients in intensive care units (Bingham, Ashley, Jong, & Swift, 2010). The VAP increases patients’ mortality rates, length of stay and hospital costs (Hiner, Kasuya, Cottingham, & Whitney, 2010). The VAP is the leading causes of death due to nosocomial infections and the

The progress of my project to develop a nurse driven sepsis screening tool and an algorithm for implementation on the intensive care unit (ICU) for early identification and prompt treatment of septic patients has progressed remarkably well. I have been productive in gathering current guidelines for sepsis with the aid of my preceptor who is a critical care nurse practitioner on the ICU. With his help, I have been able to assemble key pieces of research to create a sepsis screening tool, and a treatment algorithm with sepsis resuscitation bundles. Extensive research has been conducted to integrate evidence-based practice in my project. I have also spent time with the unit educator, critical care intensivists, and my colleagues in brainstorming and collecting ideas about my project.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in the lower respiratory system within the first 48 hours of endotrachal intubation (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Camera, 2011). Although any hospital patient is susceptible to pneumonia, ventilator dependent patients are at the highest risk of acquiring pneumonia. The purpose of this paper is to identify the risk factors, incidences, and preventions of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) using a quantitative research study performed in Malaysia. “The aim of this

Clinical problem: Oral care and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is extremely important in all healthcare organizations and has gained increased attention. For this reason, oral care has been introduced in many hospital settings. However, there is not enough evidence on critically ill patients concerning the effect of oral care interventions on the development of VAP. In order to evaluate the effect of oral care on VAP for hospitalized patients, additional studies are required.

In a research study, ICU healthcare workers were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire related to personal knowledge of ventilator- associated pneumonia prevention. The most recognized prevention guidelines of ventilation associated pneumonia were the use of a semi-recumbent position and the need to have written guidelines in the unit, more than 90% of the health

Parisi, M. (2016). Use of Ventilator Bundle and Staff Education to Decrease Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Intensive Care Patients. Critical Care Nurse, 36(5), e1-e7. doi:10.4037/ccn2016520

There are several other aspects of care of the mechanically ventilated patient that make reduced time of ventilation an important issue to consider. The management of mechanical ventilation with sedation increases the need for skilled care in the ICU setting,

Pathophysiology of admission diagnosis: ___Pneumonia is acute infection of the alveoli and the surrounding tissues that is life-threatening to most of the population. Pneumonia affects all ages of both sexes, especially the immunocompromised, chronically- ill and aged patient. It is one of the most common cause of death, and the fatal of all infectious diseases acquired in the hospital setting. The pneumonia infection relates to the patient due to the entrinsic factors. Such as age and nutrition. As the patient age increase, the immune system are getting weaker. The patient is liable to get an opportunist infection. He was on Nothing per Oral (NPO), Having chest pain and vomiting.

is currently the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States and is associated with high mortality and morbidity (Seymann, 2008). This paper is a case study of a 52 year old female who was in the hospital for a scheduled gastric bypass surgery. During a post-op test she aspirated dye thus beginning the process of her developing nosocomial pneumonia. The patient was discharged only to return to the emergency department the following day presenting with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. This paper will discuss her diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, nursing care, socioeconomic influences, and diagnostic