Ventilator-associated pneumonia
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (pronunciation: ven-ti-lay-tor as-so-see-ay-ted pneu-mo-nia) is a type of lung infection that occurs in people who are on mechanical ventilation in hospitals. The condition typically develops 48 hours or more after mechanical ventilation is given by means of an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy.
Etymology
The term "ventilator-associated pneumonia" is derived from the medical terms "ventilator," which refers to a machine that assists with breathing, and "pneumonia," which is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Causes
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is caused by the invasion of the lower respiratory tract and lung parenchyma by microorganisms. The condition is associated with several risk factors, including prolonged mechanical ventilation, presence of a nasogastric tube, and prior antibiotic therapy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ventilator-associated pneumonia can include fever, low body temperature, increased heart rate, and purulent secretions from the airways.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia typically involves a combination of clinical assessments and microbiological testing. This can include a chest X-ray, blood tests, and a culture of the respiratory secretions.
Treatment
Treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia usually involves antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection. The choice of antibiotic is guided by the results of the culture and sensitivity tests.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for ventilator-associated pneumonia include good hand hygiene, use of sterile technique for insertion of the ventilator tube, and regular oral care with chlorhexidine.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ventilator-associated pneumonia
- Wikipedia's article - Ventilator-associated pneumonia
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