 |
|
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
|
|
| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
|
|
|
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), defined as pneumonia (infection of the lung) occurring in a person who has been assisted by mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine) within the past 48 hours, is a serious and life-threatening infection. Because individuals who contract ventilator-associated pneumonia are already critically ill (requiring mechanical ventilation), the death rate from ventilator-associated pneumonia is high. The April 11, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article on ventilator-associated pneumonia.
RISK FACTORS
- Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubation (breathing tube in the throat)
- Longer duration of mechanical ventilation
- Advanced age
- Depressed level of consciousness
- Preexisting lung disease
- Immune suppression from disease or medication
- Malnutrition
PREVENTION
- Hand-washing procedures before and after any patient contact
- Avoiding endotracheal intubation if possible
- Maintaining the bed in a 30-degree head-up position
- Use of oral, rather than nasal, endotracheal tubes
- Minimizing the duration of mechanical ventilation
- Conversion totracheostomy (hole in the throat) tube when ventilation is needed for a . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer;
Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
|
