Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Ventilator associated pneumonia
Ventilator associated pneumonia
Ventilator associated pneumonia
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Ventilator associated pneumonia
Ventilator associated Pneumonia
Introduction
The main aim of this piece of work is to critically analyse the care and therapeutic interventions received by a level 3 patient diagnosed with VAP in a critical care setting. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) refers to baterial pneumonia developed in patients who have been mechanically ventilated for more than 48 hours.
Clinical signs and symptoms of VAP are similar to those of many common conditions in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and cardiac failure. Controversy continues about how to best diagnose. There is no confirmed ways to diagnose VAP, usually diagnosis is generally made on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms, chest
…show more content…
U (To maintain the patient’s confidentiality, pseudonyms will be used throughout the essay NMC (2004) and the clinical setting will remain anonymous.) was brought to the hospital by her daughter, due to breathlessness, decreased mobility, loss of appetite and recurrent cough productive of runny, translucent – yellowish sputum. Mrs. U is a chain smoker for 40 years.
On initial assessment, Ms. U’s blood gases revealed Respiratory Acidosis, a clinical disorder which is a result of inadequate excretion of carbon dioxide (CO2) with inadequate ventilation, resulting in elevated plasma CO2 levels and thus elevated carbonic acid (HCO3) levels (Epstein & Singh, 2001). A set of observations were carried out Temperature of 37.8, pulse 92, RR of 27,BP of 134/89 and saturation of 87%.The blood gas result showed PH-7.25, pCO2-12.59 kPa, po2-6.35kPa,HCO3-32 mmol/L.
Ms U was electively intubated and ventilated, later she developed VAP and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and VAP protocol placed in. ET tubes can contribute to the development of VAP, as it impairs the cough reflex and secretions can pool above the cuff, promoting the growth of infections.
According to the Department of health a VAP care bundle must be placed on all ventilated patients. So the nurses must be assessing and monitoring the patient for VAP in each shift and they need to follow the national and hospital
…show more content…
Also, daily assessment to determine whether weaning and extubation from ventilator is another option.
ORAL HYGIENE:- It is recommended that a comprehensive oropharyngeal cleaning and decontamination must be carried out every 2-6 hourly. Using Chlorhexidine swab and brush is highly recommended.
SUBGLOTTIC ASPIRATION:- Suction plays a vital role, subglottic aspiration must be carried out every 2 hourly. Also oral and tracheal suction suction must be carried out whenever necessary.
TRACHEAL TUBE PRESSURE:- Tube pressure must be checked every 4 hourly. Acceptable cuff pressure is between 20-30cmH2O.
STRESS ULCER PROPHYLAXIS:- Ensure that patients are prescribed PPI on admission.
Conclusion
This case scenario also helped me appreciate evidence-based practice and the use of current published literature in informing healthcare decisions. It is essential during critical care the signs and symptoms of VAP must be assessed periodically and try to avoid it. I should be aware of the first line of intervention, If faced with a similar situation in the future, I will still follow the same interventions we employed in caring for patients with VAP for my continuing professional development, I will learn more about complications and how we can avoid
Additionally, some of the general diagnostic and pulmonary function tests are distinct in emphysema in comparison to chronic bronchitis. In the case of R.S. the arterial blood gas (ABG) values are the following: pH=7.32, PaCO2= 60mm Hg, PaO2= 50 mm Hg, HCO3- = 80mEq/L. R.S.’s laboratory findings are indicative of chronic bronchitis, where the pH and PaO2 are decreased, whereas PaCO2 and HCO3- are increased, when compare to normal indices. Based on the arterial blood gas evaluation, the physician can deduce that the increased carbon dioxide is due to the airway obstruction displayed by the hypoventilation. Furthermore the excessive mucus production in chronic bronchitis hinders proper oxygenation leading to the hypoxia. On the other hand, in emphysema the arterial blood gas values would include a low to normal PaCO2 and only a slight decrease in PaO2 which tend to occur in the later disease stages.
VAP develops in a patient after 48 hours or more of endotracheal intubation. According to a study by Relio et al. (as citied in Fields, L.B., 2008, Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 40(5), 291-8) VAP adds an additional cost of $29,000-$40,000 per patient and increases the morality rate by 40-80%. Mechanically ventilated patients are at an increased risk in developing VAP due to factors such as circumvention of body’s own natural defense mechanisms in the upper respiratory tract (the filtering and protective properties of nasal mucosa and cilia), dry open mouth, and aspiration of oral secretions, altered consciousness, immobility, and possible immunosuppression. Furthermore, the accumulation of plaque in the oral cavity creates a biofilm that allows the patient’s mouth to become colonized with bacteria.
Ascertaining the adequacy of gaseous exchange is the major purpose of the respiratory assessment. The components of respiratory assessment comprises of rate, rhythm, quality of breathing, degree of effort, cough, skin colour, deformities and mental status (Moore, 2007). RR is a primary indicator among other components that assists health professionals to record the baseline findings of current ventilatory functions and to identify physiological respiratory deterioration. For instance, increased RR (tachypnoea) and tidal volume indicate the body’s attempt to correct hypoxaemia and hypercapnia (Cretikos, Bellomo, Hillman, Chen, Finfer, & Flabouris, 2008). The inclusive use of a respiratory assessment on a patient could lead to numerous potential benefits. Firstly, initial findings of respiratory assessment reveals baseline data of patient’s respiratory functions. Secondly, if the patient is on respiratory medication such as salbutamol and ipratropium bromide, the respiratory assessment enables nurses to measure the effectiveness of medications and patient’s compliance towards those medications (Cretikos, Bellomo, Hillman, Chen, Finfer, & Flabouris, 2008). Thirdly, it facilitates early identification of respiratory complications and it has the potential to reduce the risk of significant clinical
Mrs. Jones, An elderly woman, presented severely short of breath. She required two rest periods in order to ambulate across the room, but refused the use of a wheel chair. She was alert and oriented, but was unable to speak in full sentences. Her skin was pale and dry. Her vital signs were as follows: Temperature 97.3°F, pulse 83, respirations 27, blood pressure 142/86, O2 saturation was 84% on room air. Auscultation of the lungs revealed crackles in the lower lobes and expiratory wheezing. Use of accessory muscles was present. She was put on 2 liters of oxygen via nasal canal. With the oxygen, her O2 saturation increased to 90%. With exertion her O2 saturation dropped to the 80's. Mrs. Jones began coughing and she produced large amounts of milky sputum.
Previous research used noninvasive ventilation to help those with COPD improve their altered level of consciousness by allowing the alveoli to be ventilated and move the trapped carbon dioxide out of the lungs. When too much carbon dioxide is in the blood, the gas moves through the blood-brain barrier and causes acidosis within the body, because not enough carbon dioxide is being blown off through ventilation. The BiPAP machine allows positive pressure to enter the lungs, expand all the way to the alveoli, and create the movement of air and blood. Within the study, two different machines were used: a regular BiPAP ventilator and a bilevel positive airway pressure – spontaneous/timed with average volume assured pressure support, or AVAPS. The latter machine uses a setting for a set tidal volume and adjusts based on inspiration pressure.
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a very common hospital acquired infection, especially in pediatric intensive care units, ranking as the second most common (Foglia, Meier, & Elward, 2007). It is defined as pneumonia that develops 48 hours or more after mechanical ventilation begins. A VAP is diagnosed when new or increase infiltrate shows on chest radiograph and two or more of the following, a fever of >38.3C, leukocytosis of >12x10 9 /mL, and purulent tracheobronchial secretions (Koenig & Truwit, 2006). VAP occurs when the lower respiratory tract that is sterile is introduced microorganisms are introduced to the lower respiratory tract and parenchyma of the lung by aspiration of secretions, migration of aerodigestive tract, or by contaminated equipment or medications (Amanullah & Posner, 2013). VAP occurs in approximately 22.7% of patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation in PICUs (Tablan, Anderson, Besser, Bridges, & Hajjeh, 2004). The outcomes of VAP are not beneficial for the patient or healthcare organization. VAP adds to increase healthcare cost per episode of between $30,000 and $40,000 (Foglia et al., 2007) (Craven & Hjalmarson, 2010). This infection is also associated with increase length of stay, morbidity and high crude mortality rates of 20-50% (Foglia et al., 2007)(Craven & Hjalmarson, 2010). Currently, the PICU has implemented all of the parts of the VARI bundle except the daily discussion of readiness to extubate. The VARI bundle currently includes, head of the bed greater then or equal to 30 degrees, use oral antiseptic (chlorhexidine) each morning, mouth care every 2 hours, etc. In the PICU at children’s, the rates for VAP have decreased since the implementation of safety ro...
Recognition, response and treatment of deteriorating patients are essential elements of improving patient outcomes and reducing unanticipated inpatient hospital deaths (Fuhrmann et al 2009; Mitchell et al 2010) appropriate management of the deteriorating patient is often insufficient when not managed in a timely fashion (Fuhrmann et al 2009; Naeem et al 2005; Goldhill 2001). Detection of these clinical changes, coupled with early accurate intervention may avoid adverse outcomes, including cardiac arrest and deaths (Subbe et al. 2003).
An audit of patient records completed in 2005, revealed a low incidence of respiratory rate recording. An initial audit completed revealed that only 7% of 341 patients had a respiratory rate recording (Butler-Williams 2005). Due to this worrying outcome, the priority was to implement appropriate training to raise respiratory rate significance. Due to the audit being completed hospital wide and with no prior warning, it is an accurate indicator of an overall attitude of practice towards the recording of respiratory rate. Various studies have been conducted in order to gain an understanding as to why this precious sign is so often ignored. Jacqueline Hogan explored the paucity of patient monitoring on acute wards, completing qualitative research using focus groups in 2004. Four major themes were identified, firstly the issue of the nursing workload. Many participants acknowledged the expansion of the nurse’s role and with this added responsibility, the need for delegation of activities such as patient observations. Observations are often delegated to junior staff members such as healthcare assistants and student nurses. Although many nurses admitted to delegating this vital activity, 73% of nurses did not consider healthcare assistants possessed the required knowledge to interpret observational results. With this lack of knowledge comes the absence of appreciation for the completion of such vital signs, and
Epidemiology of VAP Hunter, Annadurai and Rothwell defines ventialtor-associated pneumonia as nosocomial pneumonia occurring in patients receiving more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation via tracheal or trascheotomy tube. It is commonly classified as either early onset (occurring within 96 hours of start of mechanical ventilation) or late onset (>96 hours after start of mechanical ventilation. A ventilator is a machine that is used to help a patient breathe by giving oxygen through an endotracheal tube, which is a tube placed in a patient’s mouth or nose, or through a tracheostomy, which is a surgical opening created trough the trachea in front of the neck. Infection may occur if bacteria or virus enters the tube into the lungs or airways by manual manipulation of the ventilator tubing. Ventilator-associated pneumonia accounts for 80% of hospital-acquired pneumonia, 8-28% of incubate... ...
My disease is Streptococcal pneumonia or pneumonia is caused by the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Streptococcus pneumoniae is present in human’s normal flora, which normally doesn’t cause any problems or diseases. Sometimes though when the numbers get too low it can cause diseases or upper respiratory tract problems or infections (Todar, 2008-2012). Pneumonia caused by this pathogen has four stages. The first one is where the lungs fill with fluid. The second stage causes neutrophils and red blood cells to come to the area which are attracted by the pathogen. The third stage has the neutrophils stuffed into the alveoli in the lungs causing little bacteria to be left over. The fourth stage of this disease the remaining residue in the lungs are take out by the macrophages. Aside from these steps pneumonia follows, if the disease should persist further, it can get into the blood causing a systemic reaction resulting in the whole body being affected (Ballough). Some signs and symptoms of this disease are, “fever, malaise, cough, pleuritic chest pain, purulent or blood-tinged sputum” (Henry, 2013). Streptococcal pneumonia is spread through person-to-person contact through aerosol droplets affecting the respiratory tract causing it to get into the human body (Henry, 2013).
Tracheobronchitis is often times found in intubated patients who need assistance breathing by a ventilator. These infections are often times caused by multidrug resistant bacteria (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aures or gram negative bacilli), where they collect in the oropharynx and enter the respiratory by the endotracheal tube cuff or through the lumen (Craven & Hjalmarson, 2010). Ventilated associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) leads to ventilator associated pneumonia if not affectively treated with the appropriate medications and prevention techniques over time. One must understand the significance in order to properly put into effect the prevention and therapy. The endotracheal tube cuff and intralumenal biofilm formation also prevent the exit of bacteria and secretions from the lower airway, increasing the need for manual tracheobronchial suctioning (Craven & Hjalmarson, 2010). The numbers and virulence of types of pathoge...
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the primary assessments concluded on patients who are believed to be suffering from cardiac complications. It involves a series of leads attached to the patient which measure the electrical activity of the heart and can be used to detect abnormalities in the heart function. The ECG is virtually always permanently abnormal after an acute myocardial infarction (Julian, Cowan & Mclenachan, 2005). Julies ECG showed an ST segment elevation which is the earliest indication that a myocardial infarction had in fact taken place. The Resuscitation Council (2006) recommends that clinical staff use a systematic approach when assessing and treating an acutely ill patient. Therefore the ABCDE framework would be used to assess Julie. This stands for airways, breathing, circulation, disability and elimination. On admission to A&E staff introduced themselves to Julie and asked her a series of questions about what had happened to which she responded. As she was able to communicate effectively this indicates that her airways are patent. Julie looked extremely pale and short of breath and frequently complained about a feeling of heaviness which radiated from her chest to her left arm. The nurses sat Julie in an upright in order to assess her breathing. The rate of respiration will vary with age and gender. For a healthy adult, respiratory rate of 12-18 breaths per minute is considered to be normal (Blows, 2001). High rates, and especially increasing rates, are markers of illness and a warning that the patient may suddenly deteriorate. Julie’s respiratory rates were recorded to be 21 breaths per minute and regular which can be described as tachypnoea. Julies chest wall appeared to expand equally and symmetrical on each side with each breath taken. Julies SP02 levels which are an estimation of oxygen
Even with the ICU, the rates of in-hospital deaths from septic shock were usually more than 80%. This was just 30 years ago. Today the mortality rate is closer to 20 to 30% now. The nurses have advanced in training/technology, better monitoring, and immediate therapy to treat the infection and support failing organs (Angus, 2014). Since the death rates are decreasing, the focus is more on the recovery of the sepsis survivor. A patient who survives to hospital discharge after the diagnosis of sepsis, remains at an increased risk for death in the next following months and years. Those who are sepsis survivors often have impaired neurocognitive or physical functioning. They also have mood disorders, and a decreased quality of life (Angus, 2013). There are resources now available for pre-hospital and community settings. This will further improve timeliness of diagnosis and treatment (McClelland,
The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was used to find peer-reviewed articles, using query terms such as: aspiration pneumonia, ventilator, and prevention. In addition, the TWUniversal search engine was utilized to find peer-reviewed articles, with the key words: aspiration pneumonia, ventilator, and enteral.
Hinkle, Janice, and Kerry Cheever. “Management of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease." Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Ed. Philadelphia: Lisa McAllister, 2013. 619-630. Print.