title: Silver tube coatings in pneumonia prevention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital-acquired infection that is associated with higher mortality rates, increased healthcare costs and longer hospitalisations. One intervention that has recently been used to reduce the prevalence of VAP is a new type of endotracheal tube impregnated with silver sulfadiazine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces VAP in adult intubated patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough evidence-based literature review was conducted to investigate whether the use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces the incidence of VAP. The following databases were consulted: CINAHL; Medline; Health Source: Nursing and Academic edition; ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; TRIP Database; and National Guideline Clearinghouse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces the prevalence of VAP in intubated patients but should not be used as an isolated intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More research is needed to assess whether the benefits of silver-coated endotracheal tubes, coupled with additional VAP prevention strategies, outweigh the costs incurred.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, USA.
authors.forename: Tabatha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Claman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012834:Silver / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012834:Silver