Preventing Aspiration Pneumonia Using an Aspiration Prevention Protocol

Hospital-acquired pneumonia, which includes aspiration pneumonia (AP), is a preventable condition that is costly to all healthcare institutions (more than $17,000 to $ 30,000 per episode), because insurance no longer covers the cost of hospital-acquired harms. Each episode in the hospital setting can lead to patient complications, increased use of antibiotics, patient mortality, as well as decreased patient survey scores. Several factors put patients at risk of developing AP, and screening for these risk factors on admission and implementing preventative nursing interventions can decrease the incidence. Based on an extensive literature review, an evidence-based, clinical practice guideline (CPG) was identified and adapted for a practice protocol on AP screening and prevention for the nursing staff of an intermediate care unit at a rural hospital. The AGREE II tool and Clinical Practice Guideline Manual were used to guide the evidence-based practice guideline adaptation, and the AGREE II tool was then used to evaluate the adapted CPG. Once reduction of staff due to the pandemic is over, the CPG will be presented to the quality and education departments and will be shared with administration before implementation. It is anticipated that the use of a routinized AP prevention program will improve patient outcomes as well as decrease patient mortality and complications during hospitalizations. By increasing nursesâ ability to recognize those at risk for developing AP and implementing preventative interventions on admission, this nurse-driven protocol will promote positive social change by improving patient outcomes and decreasing financial loss for the facility