Silver tube coatings in pneumonia prevention.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital-acquired infection that is associated with higher mortality rates, increased healthcare costs and longer hospitalisations. One intervention that has recently been used to reduce the prevalence of VAP is a new type of endotracheal tube impregnated with silver sulfadiazine. AIM: To investigate whether the use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces VAP in adult intubated patients. METHOD: A thorough evidence-based literature review was conducted to investigate whether the use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces the incidence of VAP. The following databases were consulted: CINAHL; Medline; Health Source: Nursing and Academic edition; ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; TRIP Database; and National Guideline Clearinghouse. RESULTS: The use of silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduces the prevalence of VAP in intubated patients but should not be used as an isolated intervention. CONCLUSION: More research is needed to assess whether the benefits of silver-coated endotracheal tubes, coupled with additional VAP prevention strategies, outweigh the costs incurred.