Associated-Ventilator Pneumonia Prevention - research
Monitoring Elevation of Head to Reduce Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia
Introduction to Nursing Research
February 09, 2014
Monitoring Elevation of Head to Reduce Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia
Being responsible for an intubated patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be an incredibly demanding job for the registered nurse. The fact that the patient is in need of an artificial airway via endotracheal tube into the lungs brings to the forefront the prospect of a ventilator associated infection, primarily pneumonia (VAP). VAP is also the leading cause of death from infections resulting from hospital acquired infections (Keeley, 2007).
Over the past several years, reducing the risk of VAP has been at the forefront of nursing care and research. In the research article Reducing the Risk of Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia through Head of Bed Elevation (Keeley, 2007), I will address the study’s background, method, ethical considerations, results and conclusion.
Creating an environment in ICU where an intubated patient’s chances of developing a VAP would be an ideal. The position the patient is placed has been suggested to minimize or contribute to a VAP (Keeley, 2007). The study considered the elevation of the head of bed 45 degrees to reduce the incidence of VAP.
The method of study was quantitative using adult ventilated patients placed into two groups. Patients selected to participate were randomly placed into a control group; head of bed raised to 25 degrees (current practice within the ICU), and a treatment group, head of bed 45 degrees. An independent person made the selection of the patients, placed the needed information, (along with the treatment plan for that patient), into identical envelopes which were then shuffled and selected by a third person. To address the ethical criteria, once selected for the study, the primary nurse obtained permission from the patient or family member of the patient within 24 hours of
Introduction to Nursing Research
February 09, 2014
Monitoring Elevation of Head to Reduce Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia
Being responsible for an intubated patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be an incredibly demanding job for the registered nurse. The fact that the patient is in need of an artificial airway via endotracheal tube into the lungs brings to the forefront the prospect of a ventilator associated infection, primarily pneumonia (VAP). VAP is also the leading cause of death from infections resulting from hospital acquired infections (Keeley, 2007).
Over the past several years, reducing the risk of VAP has been at the forefront of nursing care and research. In the research article Reducing the Risk of Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia through Head of Bed Elevation (Keeley, 2007), I will address the study’s background, method, ethical considerations, results and conclusion.
Creating an environment in ICU where an intubated patient’s chances of developing a VAP would be an ideal. The position the patient is placed has been suggested to minimize or contribute to a VAP (Keeley, 2007). The study considered the elevation of the head of bed 45 degrees to reduce the incidence of VAP.
The method of study was quantitative using adult ventilated patients placed into two groups. Patients selected to participate were randomly placed into a control group; head of bed raised to 25 degrees (current practice within the ICU), and a treatment group, head of bed 45 degrees. An independent person made the selection of the patients, placed the needed information, (along with the treatment plan for that patient), into identical envelopes which were then shuffled and selected by a third person. To address the ethical criteria, once selected for the study, the primary nurse obtained permission from the patient or family member of the patient within 24 hours of