Intensive care

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Preventing pneumonia

In ICU, ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common of all hospital-acquired infections. Its consequences include a longer duration of mechanical ventilation, more time spent in ICU and the hospital, and a high mortality rate. 

As part of a quality improvement approach, nine measures have been chosen with the aim of combining the benefits of each measure. These include elevating the head of the bed, oral care every four hours, active mobilisation and the transfer from bed to chair, and a daily assessment of the possibility of patients' extubation. Thanks to these preventive measures, the number of cases of pneumonia have halved, and the duration of intubation and mechanical ventilation have also decreased, as has the length of stay in intensive care. 

This pilot project was recognized at the Quality Day.

Last update : 17/03/2017