TITLE:
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in an Intensive Care Unit
AUTHORS:
Yadigar Yilmaz Camgoz, Ferda Yilmaz İnal, Öznur Şen
KEYWORDS:
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, Mechanical Ventilation, Intensive Care Unit
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases,
Vol.12 No.2,
April
15,
2022
ABSTRACT: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence,
etiologic agents and mortality rate of ventilator-associated
pneumonia (VAP). In a six-month
period, cases who were 18 years or older, dependent on mechanical ventilator
for more than 3 days and without pulmonary infection on first admission were
included in this study. In all cases, body temperature recordings, blood and
urine culture, microbiological analyses of endotracheal aspirates, and chest X-rays
were obtained and used to identify VAP. Apache II scores on admission, duration
of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and mortality were recorded. This study included 45
cases and 22 developed VAP (48%). The incidence of VAP was 25.34 per 1000
ventilator days. Univariate analyses showed that duration of mechanical
ventilation, length of ICU stay, coma and tracheotomy were associated with the
development of VAP. The mortality rate of cases with VAP (72.7%) was
significantly higher than cases without VAP (39.1%). The most frequent
microorganisms were Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In our study, VAP
was a very common and important complication
of mechanical ventilation and mortality was very high. To reduce mortality, minimize morbidity, shorten the length of stay, and reduce costs,
defined risk factors for VAP should be recognized and an effective infection
control program for the prevention of VAP should be implemented. Surveillance
results should be evaluated regularly and necessary precautions should be
taken.