Impact of Collaborative Quality Improvement Project on Incidence and Mortality of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in 18 Hospitals in Thailand

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.04.173
• Publication Date: 2007-06-16T14:11:18Z
• Authors: A. Unahalekhaka; V. Chongsuvivatwong; S. Jamulitrat; J. Ovretveit
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; 3. Good health

Methods During the project, VAP surveillance and prevention were strengthened among 18 participating hospitals. The VAP prevention activities emphasized were placing ventilated patients in a semirecumbent position unless contraindicated, hand hygiene, oral care practices and disinfection of respiratory care equipment. Data were collected among mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICU) from May 2004 to February 2005 by Infection Control Nurses (ICN) and trained ICU staff. VAP was diagnosed using pneumonia definition criteria of the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNIS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was confirmed by attending physicians. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression.