| Keywords [eng] |
Nosocomial Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, Intensive care unit, Infection control, Care bundle, Prevention strategies, antimicrobial stewardship, Critical care. |
| Abstract [eng] |
Nosocomial pneumonia, and especially Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, is one of the major issues in the Intensive Care Unit of different countries, entailing significant patient morbidity, mortality, and health expenditures. This is an integrated study master's thesis in the form of a lengthy literature review, wherein the available evidence (2020-2025) on the best approaches toward the prevention and control of Nosocomial pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit is critically evaluated. That is the research proves that Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia rates are disproportionately elevated in low- and middle-income countries and that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic made the quest to combat infections more complicated. The essence of any successful prevention is a systematic use of evidence-based care bundles, which are merely bundles of practice that, when applied together, considerably decrease the rate of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. The main elements of such bundles are daily readiness assessment to extubate, reducing the length of mechanical ventilation, head of the bed lift to 30 -45 degrees, ensuring endotracheal tube cuff pressure, and oral care with a toothbrush. Beyond the clinical aspect, the review also emphasizes the importance of a multidimensional approach, which combines education, surveillance, compliance monitoring, internal reporting, and performance feedback. In addition, organizational aspects like a well-staffed Infection Prevention Program, efficient laboratory backup, and the utilization of epidemiological information to inform empirical antibiotic therapy are necessary to achieve long-term success. The thesis sums up that despite the major developments in that field, especially with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia is the field that needs more research and specific preventative measures. The recommendations are aimed at reinforcing adherence to the predetermined bundles, developing staff education, and using technology to provide real-time surveillance and feedback in order to eventually improve patient outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit. |
