Factors influencing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes

Nosocomial infections and their subsequent treatment are costly in terms of pain and suffering and the financial burden on the health service. Critically ill patients are subjected to invasive therapy and monitoring and increased handling and therefore the likelihood of contamination and cross-infection is increased. Ventilator circuitry has been implicated in the development of respiratory infections. Intensive care personnel must be vigilant with infection control procedures, most importantly hand washing and disinfection. In intensive care units the changing of ventilator circuits every 24 hours is based upon tradition rather than analysis of research and reflective practice. Research indicates that a bacterial filter has a significant influence in reducing the contamination of ventilator circuitry. Research shows that there is no significant increase in bacterial colonization of respiratory gas or tubing after 48 hours as opposed to 24 hours. It is possible to be cost-effective without sacrificing quality of care.