VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA [VAP]
Raigan Baby*
ABSTRACT
Ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP] is a serious nosocomial infectious condition. The disease diagnosis and management is an important step to avoid morbidity and mortality. These are many predisposing factors for this condition. I am going to discuss the etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, management and most importantly nursing interventions for ventilator associated pneumonia. The best practices of nurses for improve patient status and outcomes are commonly known as bundles of care. It includes elevation of head of bed, use of subglottic secretion drainage, oral hygiene maintenance, daily secretion interruption and assessment of readiness to extubate, endotracheal tube cuff pressure, clean pressure, clean environment, disinfection practices mainly the use of antibiotics and chest physiotherapy. We should also analyze the wrong practices and non compliance of these bundles of care. This article also suggests some important points for managing ventilator associated pneumonia patients which help in current practice.
Keywords: Ventilator associated pneumonia, Endotracheal tube, Nursing Interventions, Bundles of care.
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