Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adults Patients: Changing in Clinical Practice Guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is one of the most important hospital-acquired infections, especially among critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated, because of increased attributable mortality, length of stay and healthcare costs. Bundle of care to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia was adopted in hospitals as part of patient safety practices. The recommendations in the clinical practice guidelines for this issue are changed as more scientific evidence is available. Recently, professional organizations in infectious diseases in the United States of America revised the clinical practice guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia and provided updated recommendations. These changes include minimizing invasive positive pressure mechanical ventilator, encouraging rehabilitation by early mobilization, tracheostomy if the mechanical ventilator is needed longer than seven days, avoiding chlorhexidine for oral care to prevent tissue toxicity, and preventing aspiration. Conclusion: The content in this article can be used to improve and develop clinical practices guideline or research tools to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospitals.