NURSING STRATEGIES TO REDUCE VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN ICUS

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze nursing actions directed at preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The study was conducted through a bibliographic review of national and international literature, covering scientific articles and technical texts published between 1999 and 2017, focusing on nurse care and preventive strategies in ICUs. Results show that implementing protocols, such as elevating the patient’s head, oral hygiene with chlorhexidine, endotracheal tube cuff monitoring, aseptic endotracheal suctioning, and prophylaxis for venous thrombosis and gastric ulcers, significantly reduces VAP incidence. Furthermore, proper hand hygiene and rational use of antibiotics are crucial to prevent microbial resistance. It is concluded that specialized care and continuous training of nursing professionals are essential for VAP prevention, ensuring patient safety and clinical improvement in ICUs.