title: Ventilator-associated pneumonia: improved clinical outcomes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: St Joseph Hospital, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. DebbieK@stjoshosp.org
authors.forename: Debbie Davis
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: Kitty M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hickox
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Echols
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comeau
mesh_terms: 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*