The corrlation of Duration of hospitalisation and onset of ventilator associated pneumonia

Introduction Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined
as pneumonia that occurs 48-72 hours or thereafter following
endotracheal intubation, characterized by the presence of a new or
progressive infiltrate, signs of systemic infection (fever, altered white
blood cell count), changes in sputum characteristics, and detection of a
causative agent . VAP contributes to approximately half of all cases of
hospital-acquired pneumonia . VAP is estimated to occur in 9-27 % of
all mechanically ventilated patients, with the highest risk being early in
the course of hospitalization .aims & objectives-to study the association
between duration of stay and onset of VAP.Results and conclusion-
Incidence is directly proportional to duration of mechanical ventilation
iis a strong risk factor for development of VAP. Therefore, duration of
ventilation has to be reduced .
Keywords: ventilator associated pneumonia, mechanical ventilator,
duration of stay, intubation, nosocomial infection