Prevention of pneumonia in the hospital setting.
Although the optimal approach to reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is unclear, recent studies indicate that mandatory education of health care workers caring for mechanically ventilated patients can decrease overall VAP rates. Among the available interventions, shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation and providing measures to prevent the aspiration of contaminated secretions are most important. Given the evidence supporting greater morbidity, hospital mortality, and medical care costs among patients who have VAP, the prevention of this nosocomial infection should be an important priority in the hospital setting.
Osmon
Stephen B
SB
Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8052, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Kollef
Marin H
MH
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines