Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Research Paper

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About Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP) is pneumonia that develops 48 hours or longer after mechanical ventilation is given be means of an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy. VAP results from the invasion of the lower respiratory tract and lung parenchyma by microorganisms. VAP may account for up to 60 percent of deaths from healthcare-associated infections in the United States. VAP an also increase the patient’s stay in the ICU by four to six days.
Relevant Statistics Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common and deadly healthcare associated infection, affecting up to 28 percent of ventilated patients. VAP is estimated to occur is 9-27 percent of all mechanically ventilated patients, with the highest risk being early in the course of hospitalization. VAP rates range from1.2 to 8.5 per 1000 ventilator days and are reliant on the definition used for diagnosis. Early onset VAP is defined as pneumonia that occurs within four days and this is …show more content…

There are many different ways to educate healthcare workers on VAP. This can be achieved by self-study molecules, Internet-based learning programs, lectures, small group teaching, workshops on informative posters summarizing VAP prevention guidelines. Healthcare worker should go through training in VAP prevention, and adherence to infection prevention guidelines should be monitored. A strategy utilizing a physician-led task force to educate respiratory therapists and also critical care nurses about VAP prevention strategies was shown to reduce VAP rates from 12.6 to 5.7 per 1000 ventilator days. Also, another study showed a 46 percent decrease in the rates of VAP after an educational program for the ICU nurses and respiratory therapists. (How to Prevent Ventilator Assoicated Pneumonia,

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