Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Pneumonia that is observed in patients in the ICU who have been placed on ventilators is called ventilator associated pneumonia. This secondary infection from nosocomial bacteria is known to be the second most common infection affecting around 27% of all patients classified as being critically ill (Koenig and Truwit 637) or even the most common at 30% (Kollef 627).
The type of ventilator-associated pneumonia that occurs within 72 hours of intubation is called the early onset pneumonia, and usually caused by the aspiration during the process of intubation. This pneumonia is caused by an antibiotic sensitive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenza, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The late onset pneumonia that sets in after this period is usually resistant to pathogens such as
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To conclude, it is an accepted fact that ventilator-associated pneumonia is a prevalent factor in patients in the ICU. Considering its high mortality rates due to the infection by multi-drug resistant pathogens, it is necessary that the attending physicians are made aware of the serious consequences and trained in effective therapeutic interventions as well as preventive care in and out of the ICU.
Works Cited
Chastre, Jean, et al. “Comparison of the 7 vs 15 days of Antibiotic Therapy for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Adults: A Randomized Trial.” JAMA (2011): 2588-2598
Koenig, Steven, M and Jonathon D Truwit. “Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews (2012): 637-657.
Kollef, Marin H. “The Prevention of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia.” The New England Journal of Medicine (2012):