title: Evaluation of emergency department evidence-based practices to prevent the incidence of ventilator-acquired pneumonia.
abstract: Pathogens in the oropharynx may be transported to the lung parenchyma during intubation and cause ventilator-acquired pneumonia. This project evaluated 3 post intubation evidence-based practices in the emergency department: oral care, head-of-bed elevation, and suctioning above the endotracheal tube balloon. Ventilator-acquired pneumonia cases decreased 83% after implementing these practices. There is no need to wait for the patient to be admitted to intensive care to begin these evidence-based practices.
authors.affiliation: Sharp Grossmont Hospital, San Diego State University, School of Nursing, Sharp HealthCare, San Diego, California, USA. Tonia.mccoy@sharp.com
authors.forename: Tonia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Willa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001513:Beds; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods