The authors propose a VAP prevention bundle for infants and children receiving mechanical ventilation. The bundle includes the following nursing interventions:
• Elevate the head of the bed 35 to 40 degrees.
• Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with the patient or the ventilator.
• Provide oral care according to the patient’s age.
• Change ventilator circuit every seven days or when circuit is visibly soiled or malfunctioning.
• Suction endotracheal tube only when indicated by a clinical examination; do not instill physiological saline for suctioning.
• Drain condensation from ventilator circuit every two to four hours and before repositioning the patient.
More Articles on VAP:
8 Hospitals Receive HHS Award for Eliminating Infections
Patient Safety Tool: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention Guide
3 Benefits of CDC’s New Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Framework
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