Related Experiment Videos
Ventilator-associated pneumonia with circuit changes every 2 days versus every week
1Department of Respiratory Therapy, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan. tclien@vghtpe.gov.tw
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi = Chinese Medical Journal; Free China Ed
|July 19, 2001
Summary
Extending ventilator circuit changes to 7 days does not increase ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk. This change significantly reduces costs associated with labor and supplies, offering substantial savings.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infection Control
Background:
- Frequent ventilator circuit changes incur significant costs and are often unnecessary.
- Global trends suggest lengthening ventilator circuit change intervals to one week.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if extending ventilator circuit change intervals to 7 days maintains a low rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of extended ventilator circuit change intervals.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year study period with 7-day circuit changes was compared to a 2-year historical control with 2-day changes.
- Nosocomial pneumonia diagnosis followed CDC criteria; VAP was identified using combined hospital databases.
- Exclusion criteria included pediatric patients (age < 15 years).
Main Results:
- The study group (7-day interval) had a VAP rate of 2.58 per 1,000 ventilator days (225 episodes/7,068 patients).
- The control group (2-day interval) had a VAP rate of 2.66 per 1,000 ventilator days (174 episodes/6,213 patients).
- No significant difference in VAP rates was observed (p = 0.803), with annual cost savings of approximately $80,000.
Conclusions:
- Extending ventilator circuit change intervals from 2 to 7 days does not elevate the risk of VAP.
- Substantial cost savings in labor and supplies are achievable with this practice change.