Quality Patient Care

Patient Safety Initiatives

Prevention of Ventilator Pneumonia

Weakened by critical illness or surgical trauma, many patients in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) are unable to breathe without the aid of mechanical ventilators (breathing apparatus.) These mechanical breathing machines pump air through tubes into the lungs of patients. Sometimes, the tubes delivering air to the patient allow bacteria or secretions to enter into the lungs. As many as 15 percent of ICU patients on breathing machines develop ventilator-associated pneumonia. Already debilitated by their medical condition, patients often have little ability to fight off the added bacteria causing further complications and in some cases death.

At Randolph Hospital a team spearheaded by our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) worked to identify evidence-based interventions that would reduce the number of ventilator-associated pneumonia patients. Since full implementation of the established interventions we have continued to see positive results leading to fewer complications for patients on ventilators. The evidence-based interventions put into place include:

  • Patient Position - While the patient is on the ventilator, the head of the bed will always be raised 30 to 45 degrees to allow the lungs to expand more easily and to discourage the pooling of secretions.
  • Ventilator weaning - Evaluate patients everyday for readiness to breathe on their own. The best way to avoid ventilator-associated pneumonia is to be off the ventilator.
  • Peptic ulcer prevention - To prevent the formation of peptic ulcers, ventilator patients receive intravenous antacids when appropriate.
  • Deep vein thrombosis prevention - Prolonged immobility increases the odds that blood clots will form in the lower extremities and, possibly break off and travel to a vital organ. Ventilator patients are given blood thinners when applicable.