Title |
Pre-emptive antibiotic therapy to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia: “thinking outside the box”
|
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Published in |
Critical Care, September 2016
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DOI | 10.1186/s13054-016-1472-5 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Donald E. Craven, Jana Hudcova, Yuxiu Lei, Kathleen A. Craven, Ahsan Waqas |
Abstract |
Mechanically ventilated, intubated patients are at increased risk for tracheal colonization with bacterial pathogens that may progress to heavy bacterial colonization, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT), and/or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Previous studies report that 10 to 30 % of patients with VAT progress to VAP, resulting in increased morbidity and significant acute and chronic healthcare costs. Several natural history studies, randomized, controlled trials, and a meta-analysis have reported antibiotic treatment for VAT can reduce VAP, ventilator days, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and patient morbidity and mortality. We discuss early diagnostic criteria, etiologic agents, and benefits of initiating, early, appropriate intravenous or aerosolized antibiotic(s) to treat VAT and reduce VAP, to improve patient outcomes by reducing lung damage, length of ICU stay, and healthcare costs. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 45 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 11% |
Student > Master | 5 | 11% |
Researcher | 4 | 9% |
Student > Postgraduate | 4 | 9% |
Lecturer | 4 | 9% |
Other | 12 | 27% |
Unknown | 11 | 24% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 22 | 49% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 4 | 9% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 4% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 2 | 4% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 1 | 2% |
Other | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 13 | 29% |