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Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia, defined as pneumonia (infection of the lung) occurring in a person who is being assisted by mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine), 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 August 20, 2008, issue of JAMA includes an article reporting that silver-coated endotracheal (breathing) tubes may help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. This Patient Page is based on one published in the April 11, 2007, issue of JAMA.
RISK FACTORS
- 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 at a 30-degree head-up position
- Minimizing the duration of mechanical ventilation
- Conversion to tracheostomy (hole in the throat) tube when ventilation is needed . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer;
Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
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