Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant clinical problem associated with increased intensive care unit and hospital length of stay and substantial increases in delivery cost and associated morbidity and mortality. With system changes and management of the environment of care, the incidence of VAP was reduced in seven of our intensive care units across the system. Steps necessary to reduce VAP were identified and put into place in all the intensive care units. Patient positioning, oral care, nutrition, and management of comfort drugs are a few of the processes addressed to reduce VAP. Standardization of these essential care practices can reduce the incidence of this nosocomial infection and its associated increases in the cost of care delivery and mortality.
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1 April 2007
Symposium: Prevention of Complications in Critical Illness|
April 01 2007
Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Improvement Program
Theresa Murray, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS;
Theresa Murray, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS
Theresa Murray is Clinical Specialist, Critical Care, Community Health Network, 1500 N Ritter Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219 (e-mail: tmurray@ecommunity.com). Caryl Goodyear-Bruch is Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Research, Nurse Anesthesia Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; and Staff Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Kansas University Hospital, Kansas City.
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Caryl Goodyear-Bruch, PhD, RN
Caryl Goodyear-Bruch, PhD, RN
Theresa Murray is Clinical Specialist, Critical Care, Community Health Network, 1500 N Ritter Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219 (e-mail: tmurray@ecommunity.com). Caryl Goodyear-Bruch is Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Research, Nurse Anesthesia Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; and Staff Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Kansas University Hospital, Kansas City.
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AACN Adv Crit Care (2007) 18 (2): 190–199.
Citation
Theresa Murray, Caryl Goodyear-Bruch; Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Improvement Program. AACN Adv Crit Care 1 April 2007; 18 (2): 190–199. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/15597768-2007-2011
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