The Nurse’s Role in Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP) is an important condition constituting the half of the hospital- originated pneumonia cases. The ventilator-associated pneumonia can result from microorganisms in the patient’s own flora, visitors, hospital staff, other patients and environmental factors. Elimination ofventilator-associated pneumonia, which causes high mortality rates, prolonged hospitalizations, excessive use of antibiotics and consequently increased health expenditures in adult patients with endotracheal intubation worldwide, is possible with multidisciplinary team work. In this adversaria, it is thought that the methods applied to eliminate the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and nursing practices will contribute to direct the care practices of the staff in charge and affect the patient care results positively.