The Effects of VAP Bundles on Preventing Ventilator Acquired Pneumonia (VAP) in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a hospital-acquired infection that is a critical problem in the ICU. It is the second most common form of hospitalacquired infection after blood stream infection, and has a devastating effect on the outcomes of patients. It is classified as the onset of pneumonia in patients who are mechanically ventilated after a forty-eight hour period (Pronovost, et al, 2005). Working in the Respiratory ICU, we wanted to examine the effects of the VAP Bundle: elevating head of the bed to at least 30 degrees), oral care with Chlorhexidine rinse at least every four hours, oral kits placed at the bedside each day, extubation readiness assessment, sterile suctioning techniques, and hand hygiene in decreasing mortality rates. The VAP rate in the MRICU for 2015 was 3 cases, which is a 0.7% rate per 1,000 vent days for the year, which falls under the NHSN median.