Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

This review discusses the prevention and identification of ventilator associated pneumonia. The ventilator associated pneumonia is a hospital acquired pneumonia and it spreads through bacteria like Steprtococcus pneumonia. The present review explains the transmission in to the lungs through the NG tubes and oxygen tube through the nasal cavity and through wind wipe. Once the infection spreads to the lungs, it presents with signs and symptoms such as breathlessness, restlessness, low oxygen levels. The recommended investigations are sputum culture for bacterial identification and other confirmatory tests. Once the diagnosis of pneumonia is confirmed, the focus is on the treatment which includes administration of broad spectrum antibiotics. Few strategies recommended for the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia are hygiene of the self and patient, cleaning of the used catheter and tubes, vaccinating the attending staff against infection and updating the knowledge of the staff regarding ventilator associated pneumonia and educating the family regarding the hygiene during this condition