Strategies for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: an integrative review

Rev Bras Enferm. 2019 Mar-Apr;72(2):521-530. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0473. Epub 2019 Apr 18.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: to identify studies about strategies for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia deployed in health services and classify their level of evidence.

Method: integrative review of the literature, in 7 databases, which included the following descriptors: Prevention and Control AND Pneumonia Ventilator-Associated AND Intensive Care Units AND Bundle AND Patient Care.

Results: twenty-three scientific productions were included. Of the preventive measures identified, 9 (39.1%) correspond from three to five strategies. The most frequent were: 22 (95.6%) lying with head elevated, 19 (82.6%) oral hygiene with chlorhexidine and 14 (60.8%) reduction of sedation whenever possible.

Final consideration: the application of measures based on scientific evidence is proven to be effective when carried out in conjunction, impacting the reduction of the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / organization & administration
  • Intensive Care Units / standards
  • Oral Hygiene / standards
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / nursing*
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / prevention & control*