The Use of Evidence-Based Prevention Guidelines in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Abstract Background: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is a hospital acquired condition that affects the lungs while mechanically ventilated. Infections occur when bacteria is introduced into the patients airway, typically when nurses perform routine care on their patients. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia can worsen the condition of patients significantly. Significance: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is the fourth most common adult healthcare-associated infection in the United States, accounting for nearly 3% (CDC, 2018). Within the ICU, 77% of patients that were mechanically ventilated had at least one ventilator associated condition; 29% of those had at least one infection occur (Bouadma, 2015). Ventilator Associated Pneumonia causes longer admission time as well as a higher mortality rates for thousands of patients a year; the use of multiple simple prevention strategies could reduce the rate of infection. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce the standards of care used in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia, and to discuss the significance of nurse education on the topic. Through article analysis and personal clinical experience, this project will demonstrate the importance in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia and make suggestions to improve nursing practice. I will explore the occurrence of VAP on the ICU unit in which I work, as well as the protocols Wellstar has in place to prevent that occurrence. Article Review: The articles reviewed for this project were all from peer reviewed sources as well as professional organizations. Most information found has been put into practice over the Covid-19 pandemic with more patients requiring ventilation