Ventilator-associated pneumonia: improved clinical outcomes.
Nosocomial pneumonia is the second most costly infection occurring in US hospitals. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is considered one of the most difficult infections to diagnose and prevent. In 1999, St Joseph Hospital formed a multidisciplinary Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Performance Improvement Team to tackle the myriad of issues involved in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the care of this high-risk patient population. The accomplishments of the team were significant, with a 95% reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Keith
Debbie Davis
DD
St Joseph Hospital, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. DebbieK@stjoshosp.org
Garrett
Kitty M
KM
Hickox
Gayle
G
Echols
Becky
B
Comeau
Elaine
E
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009017:Morbidity; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*