Pneumonia associated with invasive mechanical ventilation: Nursing care

Abstract

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is an infection susceptible to prevention with the compliance of measures (bundle), whose prevention is a huge challenge for nursing practice. Objectives: To identify nursing procedures in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation and the development of pneumonia in intensive care medicine. Methods: Longitudinal and descriptive study carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in the north of Portugal, between 01/11/2017 and 28/02/2018, with a sample of 20 nurses and a total of 102 observations. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire for the characterization of the sample and a grid of direct observation. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: The verification of the cuff pressure and the aspiration of secretions were the procedures with lower participation. A 0.3% rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred. Conclusion: The frequency of pneumonia in ventilated patients was low, as there was a high rate of adherence to the bundle.