EVALUATION OF RISK FACTORS AND PREVALENCE OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN ICU OF ALLIED HOSPITAL FAISALABAD

Objective: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is very important reason of hospital associated infections. The prevention of this complication is very important because of its morbidity as well as mortality. Objective of this research work was to assess the prevalence and risk factors among patients with the development of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in ICUs. Methodology: This retrograde research work recruited mechanically ventilated patients during their stay in hospital for greater than 48 hours. The division of the Ventilator Associated Pneumonia identified patients carried out in 2 groups, those having pneumonia (Ventilator Associated Pneumonia-Positive) and those without Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (Ventilator Associated Pneumonia-Negative). Results: We observed 1560 adult ICUs patients, 73.8% (n: 1152) among them were having mechanical ventilation. The use of mechanical ventilation rate was 52%. There was development of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in 15.4% of patients. The calculation of rate of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia carried out as 15.7 per 1000 days on ventilator. Average durations of the ICU stay for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia-Positive and Ventilator Associated Pneumonia-negative patients were 26.7 ± 16.3 and 18.1 ± 12.7 days (P < 0.001) and average duration of mechanical ventilation usage was 23.5 ± 10.3 and 12.6 ± 7.4 days (P < 0.001). High APACHE-2 and scores of Charlson comorbidity index, increased duration of hospitalization, time of mechanical ventilation, past hospitalization history, anti-biotherapy, CVDs (Cardiovascular Diseases), DM and organ failure were determined as important factors of risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The rate of mortality in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia-Positive patients was 65.2%, with 23.6% being credited to this very complication. Conclusion: Ventilator Associated Pneumonias are noticeable Nosocomial Infections that can be reason of high rate of morbidity as well as mortality in patients of intensive care units. The procedures of patient care for timely identification of the patient with high risk of acquiring Ventilator Associated Pneumonia and for decrease of these factors should be implemented. KEY WORDS: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, Nosocomial Infections, Cardiovascular Diseases, Hospitalization, Biotherapy