Preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: could silver-coated endotracheal tubes be the answer?

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a silver-coated endotracheal tube to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the economic outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention associated with silver-coated endotracheal tubes versus uncoated endotracheal tubes. DESIGN We used a simple decision model based on a hypothetical 1,000-patient cohort intubated with silver-coated or uncoated endotracheal tubes. The primary end point was marginal ho...

Silver-coated endotracheal tubes and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia: the NASCENT randomized trial.

CONTEXT Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) causes substantial morbidity. A silver-coated endotracheal tube has been designed to reduce VAP incidence by preventing bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a silver-coated endotracheal tube would reduce the incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective, random...

Flu Vaccine Didn ’ t Cut Pneumonia Risk in the Elderly

E tubes coated with silver, which has shown potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro, reduced the incidence of ventilatorassociated pneumonia by 35% in a multicenter study, researchers reported. “This is the first intervention demonstrated to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence that does not require more effort or supervision from clinicians providing bedside care,” sa...

Are specialized endotracheal tubes and heat-and-moisture exchangers cost-effective in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common and serious complication of mechanical ventilation via an artificial airway. As with all nosocomial infections, VAP increases costs, morbidity, and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). VAP prevention is a multifaceted priority of the intensive care team, and can include the use of specialized artificial airways and heat-and-moisture excha...

CARING FOR THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT Silver-Coated Endotracheal Tubes and Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia The NASCENT Randomized Trial