Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent intensive care unit (ICU)-related infection in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. In contrast to other ICU-related infections, which have a low mortality rate, the mortality rate for ventilator-associated pneumonia ranges from 20% to 50%. Lack of a gold standard diagnosis is the main factor of poor outcome of VAP Knowledge of the incidence of VAP and their associated risk factors are important for development and use of more effective preventive measures. Aims &Objectives: To find out the incidence of VAP in adult patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and to identify the main risk factors for development of Ventilator-associated pneumonia. Subjects and Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the Intensive care unit of a tertiary care CentreAll adult patients of both sexes on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours were included. Patients who died or developed pneumonia at the time of admission and patients of acute respiratory distress syndrome were excluded. Results: 100 ventilated patients over a period of 1 year were included in the study.Of the 100 patients 20 patients developed ventilator associated pneumonia.Our study found that 60%of the cases were late-onset VAP, while 40% were early-onset VAP. Supine head position and impaired consciousness, were found to be risk factors, of VAP. Conclusion: settings. Knowledge of the important risk factors predisposing to VAP may prove to be useful in implementing simple and effective preventive measures.