ORIGINAL ARTICLE – An audit on ventilator associated pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Critical care is one of the most expensive services provided by a hospital. The aim of this audit was to ascertain the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit.

Type of study: A descriptive study

Place of study: Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle (Sri Lanka)

Duration of study: 1st June 2010 to 30th August 2010

Methodology: All patients, who were admitted to ICU and who stayed there for more than 48hrs during a period of three months were studied. Infections were identified on clinical parameters such as fever and on laboratory investigations such as full count, CRP and cultures.

Results: Out of 82 patients, 48(58.5%) were subsequently discharged to the ward and 30(36.6%) succumbed to their illness. 68(82.9%) were ventilated and 26 of them had an underlying pathology related to an infection. A total of 20(29.4%) patients of this ventilated group subsequently developed a lower respiratory tract infection. The main nosocomial infection was ventilator associated pneumonia and had an incidence of 21.9%. The most prevalent organisms were mixed gram negative bacilli and Acinetobacter spp.

Conclusion:Nosocomial infections are a cause of increased mortality and morbidity in the intensive care unit. Awareness of the risk factors together with simple preventive measures and surveillance will help to reduce its occurrence.

Citation: Gunaratne A, Vidanagama D. An audit on ventilator associated pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka. Anaesth Pain & Intensive Care 2011;15(1):38-41.