title: Basic nursing care to prevent nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is an underreported and unstudied disease, with potential for measurable outcomes, fiscal savings, and improvement in quality of life. The purpose of our study was to (a) identify the incidence of NV-HAP in a convenience sample of U.S. hospitals and (b) determine the effectiveness of reliably delivered basic oral nursing care in reducing NV-HAP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, quasi-experimental study using retrospective comparative outcomes to determine (a) the incidence of NV-HAP and (b) the effectiveness of enhanced basic oral nursing care versus usual care to prevent NV-HAP after introduction of a basic oral nursing care initiative.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Problems (ICD-9) codes for pneumonia not present on admission and verified NV-HAP diagnosis using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention diagnostic criteria. We completed an evidence-based gap analysis and designed a site-specific oral care initiative designed to reduce NV-HAP. The intervention process was guided by the Influencer Model (see Figure) and participatory action research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a substantial amount of unreported NV-HAP. After we initiated our oral care protocols, the rate of NV-HAP per 100 patient days decreased from 0.49 to 0.3 (38.8%). The overall number of cases of NV-HAP was reduced by 37% during the 12-month intervention period. The avoidance of NV-HAP cases resulted in an estimated 8 lives saved, $1.72 million cost avoided, and 500 extra hospital days averted. The extra cost for therapeutic oral care equipment was $117,600 during the 12-month intervention period. Cost savings resulting from avoided NV-HAP was $1.72 million. Return on investment for the organization was $1.6 million in avoided costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NV-HAP should be elevated to the same level of concern, attention, and effort as prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospitals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nursing needs to lead the way in the design and implementation of policies that allow for adequate time, proper oral care supplies, ease of access to supplies, clear procedures, and outcome monitoring ensuring that patients are protected from NV-HAP.
authors.affiliation: Zeta Eta, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Integrated Quality Services, Sutter Health Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Dian L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parise
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000451:nursing*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Influencer Model; Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia; basic nursing care; cost-effective care; missed nursing care; oral care