When I read an article from Emedicine, was surprised to see the analysis by the author. I quote the following lines...
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is pneumonia that develops 48 hours or longer after admission to a hospital.
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is pneumonia that develops 48 hours or longer after mechanical ventilation is given by means of an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy.
- Health care–associated pneumonia is pneumonia that occurs in persons in one of the following groups:
- Patients who have been hospitalized in an acute care facility for 2 or more days within 90 days of the infection
- Residents of a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Patients who received intravenous antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, or wound care within the last 30 days of the current infection
- Patients who receive hemodialysis in any setting
HAP is the second most common nosocomial infection. HAP increases a patient's hospital stay by approximately 7-9 days and can increase hospital costs by an average of $40,000 per patient. and
Frequency
VAP is a complication in as many as 28% of patients who receive mechanical ventilation. The incidence of VAP increases with the duration of mechanical ventilation. Estimated rates are 3% per day for the first 5 days, 2% per day for days 6-10, and 1% per day after day 10.
Mortality/Morbidity
We had "International Infection Prevention Week" a forth night ago, but still we need to create awareness about such infections. I think we need to give due importance for VAP too. Though, there are many organizations, which are trying to create awareness and solutions for this problem, I find Kimberly Clark corporation's efforts really interesting and commendable. So let us join hands with the corporation to spread the awareness....
One can get more info with the link :
http://vap.kchealthcare.com
