2006 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
A VENTILATOR BUNDLE TO REDUCE VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA: DOES IT WORK?
Jenni L. Raake,
MBA, RRT, NPS, Rick Amato, RRT, Dan Wells RT, RN
Cincinnati Children's
Introduction: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia increases
hospital length of stay, potential for morbidity and mortality, and costs
associated with patient care. We employed
a bundle of interventions to see if we could reduce our Ventilator Associated
Pneumonia rates in each of our critical care units.
Materials and Methods: Utilizing a model based on current evidence,
our bundle consisted of good hand washing, reducing condensation in ventilator
circuits, and emphasis on raising the head of the patient's bed, employing
excellent mouth care, and reducing the number of patient disconnections from
the ventilator circuit. Education was
emphasized to respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians in the Newborn
ICU, Pediatric ICU, and Cardiac ICU in utilizing all parts of the bundle. Our goal was a 50% reduction in each critical
care unit.
Results: Using the bundle, we were successful in
achieving a reduction in our VAP rates in each critical care unit.
Conclusions: Use of multiple interventions bundled
together was successful in reducing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in our
hospital. Use of the bundle should be
emphasized in attempts at improving patient care.