title: Preventing Ventilator-Associated Infections.
abstract: Mechanical ventilator use is fraught with risk of complications. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication that prolongs stays on the ventilator and increases mortality and costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of the term, ventilator-associated event. Prevention and/or interruption of cycle of inflammation, colonization of respiratory tract, and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis are key to managing VAP. Modifying risk factors using a ventilator bundle is considered standard of care. The contentious factors and the lack of support for early tracheotomy, parenteral nutrition, and monitoring of gastric residuals are also addressed. Finally, the role of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis in VAP is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, N602 Health Sciences Building, 2500 State Street North, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Avani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, N602 Health Sciences Building, 2500 State Street North, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 Woodrow Wilson East, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. Electronic address: rbhagat@umc.edu.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhagat
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Nosocomial infection; Ventilator bundle; Ventilator-associated event; Ventilator-associated pneumonia; Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis