title: Ventilator-associated pneumonia: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
abstract: While critically ill patients experience a life-threatening illness, they commonly contract ventilator-associated pneumonia. This nosocomial infection increases morbidity and likely mortality as well as the cost of health care. This article reviews the literature with regard to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It provides conclusions that can be implemented in practice as well as an algorithm for the bedside clinician and also focuses on the controversies with regard to diagnostic tools and approaches, treatment plans, and prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, P.O. Box 800546, UVa HS, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. truwit@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Jonathon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Truwit
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects