Postoperative Nosocomial Pneumonia: Nurse-Sensitive Interventions

Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) is well documented as the second most common nosocomial infection. It is now more common in surgical patients than surgicalsite or wound infection. Healthcare implications of NP include not only increased patient morbidity and mortality, but also increased use of healthcare resources. The advanced practice nurse plays an integral role in the prevention and minimization of NP across healthcare settings. This article focuses on postoperative NP after abdominal, cardiac, or thoracic surgery in the non-mechanically ventilated patient and discusses the diagnostic assessment, risk factors, and potential nurse-sensitive interventions to prevent or minimize this complication. Ideas for potential nursing research related to these risk factors are described.