Direct delivery of antimicrobial agents to the site of infection via aerosolization may represent a valid option in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Although promising and supported by the results of several recent investigations, antibiotic aerosolization to treat VAP has not yet entered the armamentarium for daily practice. Its potential efficacy should be first evaluated ...

Introduction Surveillance for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is problematic. The CDC published a new surveillance framework [1] with two main goals. • Broaden focus of surveillance beyond VAP to include other common ventilator-associated complications (VACs). • Produce objective surveillance definitions using quantitative data based on changes in ventilator settings. It introduces a hier...

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Head, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Amir Mazandarani Hospital, Sari, Iran. [email protected] 2. (Corresponding author), Dentistry Student Research Committee (DSRC), Dentistry School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran. [email protected]...

Recently published guidelines for the management of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia are reviewed for recommendations regarding diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy to assess the implications for development of future clinical trials. Despite some differences (mostly related to likely pathogens), there is a general agreement about the recommended approach to manage...

In a previous issue of Critical Care, Lorente and colleagues reported the results of a prospective observational study aiming at evaluating the effect of continuous control of cuff pressure (Pcuff ) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The results suggest a beneficial impact of this intervention on VAP prevention, which is in line with the results of a recent randomized co...

Traditionally, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been treated either with double drug therapy or with monotherapy. Double drug therapy has been used to increase spectrum, for possible synergy, and to decrease the emergence of resistance. VAP therapy should be directed primarily against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which also provides aerobic Gram-negative coverage, the usual pathogens in VAP...

OBJECTIVE To determine how the patient to nurse ratio affects risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. METHODS Data from an earlier study in 27 intensive care units in 9 European countries were examined in a secondary analysis. The initial cohort included 2585 consecutive patients who had mechanical ventilation (1) after admission for treatment of pneumonia or (2) for more than 48 hours irre...