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Preventing VAP in the Intubated ED Patient
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) occurs in 9-27% of patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV).
- VAP increases the duration of MV and increases the ICU length of stay.
- VAP is primarily caused by aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions either during intubation or while receiving MV.
- While there are many interventions that may potentially reduce the incidence of VAP (aspiration of subglottic secretions, selective digestive decontamination, monitoring endotracheal cuff pressure), a simple, no cost intervention is patient positioning.
- Placing intubated patients in the semirecumbent position is associated with a lower risk of VAP.
References
Ramirez P, et al. Measures to prevent nosocomial infections during mechanical ventilation. Curr Opin Crit Care 2012;18:86-92.