Nonpharmacological Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Manuel G. Iregui; William M. Vaughan; Marin H. Kollef

doi:10.1055/s-2002-35720

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Table of Contents

Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 23(5): 489-496
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35720

Nonpharmacological Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Manuel G. Iregui¹ , William M. Vaughan² , Marin H. Kollef¹

¹Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
²Bard Medical Division, C.R. Bard, Inc., Covington, Georgia

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is the most common nosocomial infection occurring among mechanically ventilated patients. The benefits associated with the systematic prevention of HAP include fewer infections with high-risk antibiotic-resistant bacteria, lower rates of hospital mortality, reduced medical care costs, and shorter hospital lengths of stay. Unfortunately, many hospitals do not have an organized approach to the prevention of HAP. This review will describe the nonpharmacological approaches available for the prevention of HAP. It should help clinicians to design their own strategies for the prevention of this important hospital-acquired infection.

KEYWORDS

Hospital-acquired pneumonia - mechanical ventilation - ventilator-associated pneumonia

Full Text

References

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