Analysis on the knowledge of the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle at a teaching hospital in Distrito Federal

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare services have implemented major improvements in adherence to measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is among the most common infections in adult intensive care units (ICU). Objective: To analyze the knowledge of healthcare professionals about the Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention bundle in the Adult Intensive Care Unit of a Teaching Hospital in the Federal District (DF). Method: A quasi-experimental research of quantitative nature. A questionnaire was applied to 93 health professionals in the ICU (physicians, nurses, physical therapists, nursing technicians and dentists), with questions about the items of the VAP prevention bundle, from August to October 2022. Results and Discussion: the overall average of correct answers was 74.6%. Final considerations: Healthcare professionals considered that among the difficulties mentioned to perform VAP prevention care, the most difficult was to maintain the adequate position of the filter and trachea and to perform oral hygiene. Therefore, it is considered that the bundle alone does not ensure the reduction of VAP rates, and should be implemented together with a group of actions with the same objective.