Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
04:32

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Published on: June 28, 2018

Extending ventilator circuit change interval beyond 2 days reduces the likelihood of ventilator-associated pneumonia

J B Fink1, S A Krause, L Barrett

  • 1Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines, Jr. Hospital, Hines, Ill 60141, USA.

Chest
|March 14, 1998
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Extending ventilator circuit changes to 7 and 30 days significantly reduces ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk. This change also lowers labor and supply costs, improving patient outcomes and hospital efficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Disease Prevention
  • Healthcare Economics

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant nosocomial infection.
  • Current guidelines often recommend frequent ventilator circuit changes, impacting resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk of VAP associated with extended ventilator circuit change intervals (7 and 30 days) compared to standard 2-day intervals.
  • To assess the economic impact of altering ventilator circuit change protocols.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective 4-year study involving adult patients on mechanical ventilation in a tertiary care hospital.
  • Ventilator circuits were changed at 2-day intervals for 2 years, followed by 7-day and 30-day intervals (1 year each), with a switch to heated wire circuits for the 30-day period.
  • VAP rates per 1,000 ventilator days were calculated, and survival analysis modeled VAP risk relative to circuit change intervals.

Main Results:

  • The VAP rate was 11.88 per 1,000 ventilator days for 2-day changes, significantly higher than 3.34 for 7-day and 6.28 for 30-day changes.
  • The risk of VAP was 3.1 times greater with 2-day circuit changes compared to 7- and 30-day intervals (p=0.0004).
  • Extending circuit change intervals resulted in average annual savings of $4,231 per ventilator in supply and labor costs.

Conclusions:

  • Extending ventilator circuit change intervals to 7 or 30 days is associated with a lower risk of VAP compared to 2-day intervals.
  • These extended intervals lead to significant reductions in patient morbidity and substantial cost savings in labor and supplies.
  • The findings support a re-evaluation of ventilator circuit change protocols to optimize patient safety and resource management.

More Related Videos

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

A Structured Approach to Extubation in Mechanically Ventilated Rats05:05

A Structured Approach to Extubation in Mechanically Ventilated Rats

Published on: July 18, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen01:16

Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen

Oxygen therapy is a pivotal aspect of medical care, particularly for patients with respiratory ailments. Two prominent oxygen-delivering systems include the Venturi mask and the transtracheal oxygen catheter.
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation

Ventilators are essential medical equipment used to aid patients with respiratory difficulties. Their primary function is to assist or replace spontaneous breathing by providing mechanical ventilation. There are two general classes of mechanical ventilators: negative-pressure and positive-pressure ventilators.
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...