title: What is new in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a frequent and severe complication in endotracheally intubated patients. Strict adherence to preventive measures reduces the risk of VAP. The objective of this paper is to review what has come forward in recent years in the nonpharmacological prevention of VAP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It seems advantageous to implement care bundles rather than single prevention measures. A solid basis of knowledge seems necessary to facilitate implementation and maintain a high adherence level. Continuous educational efforts have a beneficial effect on attitude toward VAP. Intermittent subglottic secretions drainage, continuous lateral rotation therapy, and polyurethane cuffed endotracheal tubes decrease the risk of pneumonia. In an in-vitro setting, an endotracheal tube with a taper-shaped cuff appears to better prevent fluid leakage compared to cylindrical polyurethane or polyvinylchloride cuffed tubes. Cuff pressure control by means of an automatic device and multimodality chest physiotherapy need further investigation, as do some aspects of oral hygiene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New devices and strategies have been developed to prevent VAP. Some of these are promising but need further study. In addition, more attention is being given to factors that might facilitate the implementation process and the challenge of achieving high adherence rates.
authors.affiliation: General Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent, Belgium. stijn.blot@UGent.be
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blot
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rello
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vogelaers
mesh_terms: D015916:Drainage, Postural / Q000639:trends; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000639:trends; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000639:trends; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000639:trends; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000639:trends*