Epidemiological profile of patients with ventilation-associated pneumonia in a teaching hospital

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Ventilator-associated pneumonia may occur within 48 to 72 hours after endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, being the most frequent infection in intensive care units, linked to increased mortality. This research aims to identify the epidemiological profile of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, documentary study with a quantitative approach. The data collection was carried out using a semi-structured instrument with data made available by the Hospital Infection Control Commission and in the electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia, from July to December 2022. Data were organized using the Excel software and subsequently analyzed with the program Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows, using descriptive statistics. Results: Most individuals were male (59.6%), aged 60 years or older (53.9%), retired (48.3%), nondrinkers (61.8%), nonsmokers (66.3%), with pre-existing comorbidities (62.9%), hospitalized due to trauma (23.6%), enteral nutrition (97.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogenic agent (15.7%), using endotracheal tube (91.7%), not requiring reintubation (67.4%), not presenting multidrug resistance (59.6%), and the clinical outcome was death (65.2%). Conclusion: There is still a need for specific interventions and measures for critically ill patients. It is expected that the variables found may contribute to promoting patient safety on mechanical ventilation and help to develop prevention strategies in order to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.