Heat-and-moisture exchangers used with biweekly circuit tubing changes: effect on costs and pneumonia rates.

In 1991, heat-and-moisture exchangers were introduced with biweekly ventilator circuit tubing changes, resulting in elimination of multiple pieces of respiratory equipment and reduced labor costs. The annual savings were $157,000, totalling $1.5 million since the onset of the program. There have been no increases in rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia.