Subglottic Secretion Research Articles

Audit of UK ventilator care bundles and discussion of subglottic secretion drainage.

The UK Department of Health (2012) recommends a ventilator care bundle in the form of a high impact intervention to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. The aims of this project were to audit compliance with individual components of this care bundle in the UK. The first survey directly addressed compliance with each component of the recommended ventilator care bundle. The second survey was targeted towards the use of subglottic secretion drainage (SSD) and the logistics of implementing it. The first survey was distributed electronically to the Nurse Leads of the Critical Care National Network Nurses Forum and then circulated more widely through local networks. This Forum covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The second survey was circulated electronically to the Intensive Care Society Linkmen and was UK-wide. The first survey received 112 responses following circulation via 40 Leads. Ninety-nine percent of responses were from nurses, the rest were from doctors. The second survey had 77 responses, 88% from doctors and was circulated via 155 Linkmen. The surveys showed that over 95% of respondents worked in intensive care units that use a ventilator care bundle. Compliance with each component of the bundle was greater than 85% in all units, except for SSD, which was performed in 47-53% of the units. In this survey, most units comply with most of the nationally recommended ventilator care bundle components with the exception of SSD. Because of a lack of availability of suitable endotracheal tubes, a significant number of patients are being re-intubated to facilitate this therapy. Compliance with most components of the nationally recommended ventilator care bundle is good. SSD has not been as widely implemented as the other components and patients are undergoing re-intubation to facilitate it.

An in vitro microbiological study comparing eight endotracheal tubes and their ability to prevent microaspiration

The major cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the aspiration of bacteria-laden subglottic secretions past the cuff of the endotracheal tube (ETT) [[1]]. When the ETT cuff is inflated to the correct wall pressure, excess cuff material folds and causes involutions thereby forming channels, which allow leakage of subglottic secretions to the lungs [[2]]. Now, new ETT cuffs have been designed and subglottic ports added in order to prevent microaspiration. The PneuX tube has previously been shown to prevent leakage by eliminating cuff folds and other cuffs have shown variable improvements [[3]].

The influence of the endotracheal tube cuff on the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Introduction: An endotracheal tube enables patient ventilation, but also presents a risk of complications. The accumulation of subglottic secretions above the cuff may cause ventilatorassociated pneumonia. The purpose of the article is to establish the effect of the endotracheal tube cuff (shape and material, method of inflation, verifying and maintaining pressure) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
 Methods: A descriptive method with a systematic review of domestic and foreign literature was used. The literature was retrieved from electronic databases and the cooperative bibliographic/catalogue database. According to eligibility criteria, sixteen original scientific articles published in the last ten years were finally used. Data were processed with qualitative content analysis. 
 Results: Cuff inflation control with a manometer and continuous measuring and adjustment of cuff pressure with modern equipment were found to be the safest methods. According to the articles on shape and material, conical polyurethane cuffs provide the best sealing. 
 Discussion and conclusion: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious complication in mechanically ventilated patients. Maintaining appropriate cuff pressure proved to be a very effective preventive measure. The research presented here is limited by the small number of available articles. Further research is needed before practical applications are attempted.

Subglottic secretion drainage for preventing ventilator associated pneumonia: A meta-analysis

Objective Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) has been shown to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality (Chastre and Fagon, 2002; Klompas, 2007) among mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), with the incidence ranging from 9% to 27%; crude mortality ranges from 25% to 50% (Rello, Ollendorf, Oster, et al., 2002; Tablan, Anderson, Besser, Bridges, Hajjeh, 2003). A meta-analysis of published studies was undertaken to combine information regarding the effect of subglottic secretion drainage (SSD) on the incidence of ventilated associated pneumonia in adult ICU patients. Methods Reports of studies on SSD were identified by searching the PUBMED, EMBASE, and COCHRANCE LIBRARY databases (December 30, 2010). Randomized trials of SSD compared to usual care in adult mechanically ventilated ICU patients were included in this meta-analysis. Results Ten RCTs with 2314 patients were identified. SSD significantly reduced the incidence of VAP (relative risk [RR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42–0.64, p < 0.00001). When SSD was compared with the control groups, the overall RR for ICU mortality was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.84–1.19) and for hospital mortality was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80–1.13). Overall, the subglottic drainage effect on the days of mechanical ventilation was −1.52 days (95% CI, −2.94 to −0.11) and on the ICU length of stay (LOS) was −0.81days (95% CI, −2.33 to –0.7). Conclusions In this meta-analysis, when an endotracheal tube (ETT) with SSD was compared with an ETT without SSD, there was a highly significant reduction in the VAP rate of approximately 50%. Time on mechanical ventilation (MV) and the ICU LOS may be reduced, but no reduction in ICU or hospital mortality has been observed in published trials.

The value of subglottic secretion drainage in the prevention of the late-onset ventilator associated pneumonia

Objective To explore the value of subglottic secretion drainage in the prevention of the late -onset ventilator associated pneumonia. Methods Clinical data of 273 patients which were treated for longterm mechanical ventilation and tracheotomy were retrospectively analyzed.Based on continued subglottic suction,the patients were divided into the subglottic suction group(132 cases)and control group(141 cases),the late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence of two groups were compared. Results The ventilator -associated pneumonia rate of the subglottic suction group was 25.8%(34/132),and the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of the control group was 22.7%(32/141),the difference between the two groups was not significant(χ2=0.345,P>0.05). Conclusion In the prevention of late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia,the effect of continuous subglottic suction is unclear. Key words: Pneumonia,Ventilator-Associated; Universal Precautions; Treatment Outcome

Endotracheal Tubes for Critically Ill Patients: An In Vivo Analysis of Associated Tracheal Injury, Mucociliary Clearance, and Sealing Effi cacy

Improvements in the design of the endotracheal tube (ETT) have been achieved in recent years. We evaluated tracheal injury associated with ETTs with novel high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) cuffs and subglottic secretions aspiration (SSA) and the effects on mucociliary clearance (MCC). Twenty-nine pigs were intubated with ETTs comprising cylindrical or tapered cuffs and made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane. In specific ETTs, SSA was performed every 2 h. Following 76 h of mechanical ventilation, pigs were weaned and extubated. Images of the tracheal wall were recorded before intubation, at extubation, and 24 and 96 h thereafter through a fluorescence bronchoscope. We calculated the red-to-green intensity ratio (R/G), an index of tracheal injury, and the green-plus-blue (G+B) intensity, an index of normalcy, of the most injured tracheal regions. MCC was assessed through fluoroscopic tracking of radiopaque markers. After 96 h from extubation, pigs were killed, and a pathologist scored injury. Cylindrical cuffs presented a smaller increase in R/G vs tapered cuffs (P = .011). Additionally, cuffs made of polyurethane produced a minor increase in R/G (P = .012) and less G+B intensity decline (P = .022) vs PVC cuffs. Particularly, a cuff made of polyurethane and with a smaller outer diameter outperformed all cuffs. SSA-related histologic injury ranged from cilia loss to subepithelial inflammation. MCC was 0.9 ± 1.8 and 0.4 ± 0.9 mm/min for polyurethane and PVC cuffs, respectively (P < .001). HVLP cuffs and SSA produce tracheal injury, and the recovery is incomplete up to 96 h following extubation. Small, cylindrical-shaped cuffs made of polyurethane cause less injury. MCC decline is reduced with polyurethane cuffs.

Assessment of Critical Care Provider's Application of Preventive Measures for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Intensive Care Units.

The implementation of guidelines for the prevention of Ventilator-associated pneumonia has been shown to have a significant effect in reducing the incidence of VAP. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of the preventive strategies for VAP in ICUs of university hospitals of Sari, Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 600 beds/day in the ICUs of university hospitals of Sari from April to June 2012. Sampling was done by availability technique in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU. The implementation of the preventive measures was assessed by a standard checklist with previously approved validity and reliability. The percentage of implementing each of the measures was as follows: sterile suction, 88.44%; semi-recumbent position, 76.8%; oral hygiene, 58.45%; using heat and moisture exchanges (HMEs), 58%; controlling cuff pressure, 46.8%; hand hygiene, 32.8%; using anti-coagulants, 26.8% and physiotherapy, 25.5%. Closed suction system, continuous drainage of subglottic secretions and kinetic beds were not used at all. The overall mean percentage of implementing preventive measures was low and required designing integrated guidelines by considering the conditions of the ICUs in each country, as well as educating and encouraging the staffs to use the recommended guidelines.

Prevention of Ventilation Associated Pneumonia, New Ideas and Better Results

The ventilation associated pneumonia is one the biggest challenge in the critical care team. It has a high mortality rate and an increase cost of the management. The use of the antibiotics did not show a great improvement in the survival rate. On the other hand, the prevention of ventilation associated pneumonia shows promising results, it improves the survival rate, decease both days of antibiotic use and days in the critical care unit. In the last 10 years, different methods used for the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia. Some of those methods show a promising results while others need do not. We reviewed different methods of prevention including oral hygiene, probiotics, cuff pressure control, subglottic secretion drainage, endotracheal cuff, coated endotracheal tube, and the multisystem approach. We review the papers and the data supplement online, and we compared between the different methods in the short outcome, long outcome, length of stay in the ICU, and the cost of the management.

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia and ventilator-associated conditions: a randomized controlled trial with subglottic secretion suctioning.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis remains a debatable topic. New definitions of ventilator-associated conditions involving worsening oxygenation have been recently proposed to make surveillance of events possibly linked to ventilator-associated pneumonia as objective as possible. The objective of the study was to confirm the effect of subglottic secretion suctioning on ventilator-associated pneumonia prevalence and to assess its concomitant impact on ventilator-associated conditions and antibiotic use. Randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in five ICUs of the same hospital. Three hundred fifty-two adult patients intubated with a tracheal tube allowing subglottic secretion suctioning were randomly assigned to undergo suctioning (n = 170, group 1) or not (n = 182, group 2). During ventilation, microbiologically confirmed ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 15 patients (8.8%) of group 1 and 32 patients (17.6%) of group 2 (p = 0.018). In terms of ventilatory days, ventilator-associated pneumonia rates were 9.6 of 1,000 ventilatory days and 19.8 of 1,000 ventilatory days, respectively (p = 0.0076). Ventilator-associated condition prevalence was 21.8% in group 1 and 22.5% in group 2 (p = 0.84). Among the 47 patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, 25 (58.2%) experienced a ventilator-associated condition. Neither length of ICU stay nor mortality differed between groups; only ventilator-associated condition was associated with increased mortality. The total number of antibiotic days was 1,696 in group 1, representing 61.6% of the 2,754 ICU days, and 1,965 in group 2, representing 68.5% of the 2,868 ICU days (p < 0.0001). Subglottic secretion suctioning resulted in a significant reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia prevalence associated with a significant decrease in antibiotic use. By contrast, ventilator-associated condition occurrence did not differ between groups and appeared more related to other medical features than ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Gastropulmonary Route of Infection and the Prevalence of Microaspiration in the Elderly Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Verified by Molecular Microbiology-GM-PFGE.

Gastropulmonary route of infection was considered to be an important mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However there is little evidence to support this assumption. Moreover, the prevalence of microaspiration in elderly ventilated patients was not well understood. To confirm gastropulmonary infection route and investigate the prevalence of microaspiration in elderly ventilated patients using genome macrorestriction-pulsed field gel electrophoresis (GM-PFGE). Patients over 60 years old, expected to receive mechanical ventilation longer than 48 h, were prospectively enrolled from October 2009 to January 2012. Clinical data were collected and recorded until they died, developed pneumonia, or were extubated. Samples from gastric fluid, subglottic secretion and lower respiratory tract (LRT) were collected during the follow-up for microbiological examination. To evaluate the homogeneity, GM-PFGE was performed on strains responsible for VAP that had the same biochemical phenotype as those isolated from gastric juice and subglottic secretions sequentially. Among 44 VAP patients, 76 strains were isolated from LRT and considered responsible for VAP. Twenty-two isolates had the same biochemical phenotype with the corresponding gastric isolates. The homology was further confirmed using GM-PFGE in 12 episodes of VAP. Nearly 30% of VAPs were caused by microaspiration based on the analysis of bacterial phenotype or GM-PFGE. In addition, 58.3% patients with gastric colonization developed VAP, especially late-onset VAP (LOP). Gastropulmonary infection route exists in VAP especially LOP in elderly ventilated patients. It is one of the important mechanisms in the development of VAP.

How to avoid microaspiration? A key element for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated ICU patients.

Microaspiration of subglottic secretions through channels formed by folds in high volume-low pressure poly-vinyl chloride cuffs of endotracheal tubes is considered a significant pathogenic mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Therefore a series of prevention measures target the avoidance of microaspiration. However, although some of these can minimize microaspiration, benefits in terms of VAP prevention are not always obvious. Polyurethane-cuffed endotracheal tubes successfully reduce microaspiration but high quality data demonstrating VAP rate reduction are lacking. An analogous conclusion can be made regarding taper-shaped cuffs compared with classic barrel-shaped cuffs. More clinical data regarding these endotracheal tube designs are needed to demonstrate clinical value in addition to in vitro-based evidence. The clinical usefulness of endotracheal tubes developed for subglottic secretions drainage is established in multiple studies and confirmed by meta-analysis. Any change in cuff design will fail to prevent microaspiration if the cuff is insufficiently inflated. At least one well-designed trial demonstrated that continuous cuff pressure monitoring and control decrease the risk of VAP. Gel lubrication of the cuff prior to intubation temporarily hampers microaspiration through sludging the channels formed by folds in high volume-low pressure cuffs. As the beneficial effect of gel lubrication is temporarily, its potential to reduce VAP risk is probably nonsignificant. A minimum positive end-expiratory pressure of at least 5 cmH2O can be recommended as it reduces the risk of microaspiration in vitro and in vivo. One randomized controlled study demonstrated a reduced risk of VAP in patients ventilated with PEEP (5–8 cmH2O). Regarding head-of-bed elevation, it can be recommended to avoid supine positioning. Whether a 45° head-of-bed elevation is to be preferred above 25-30° head-of-bed elevation remains unproven. Finally, the routine monitoring of gastric residual volumes in mechanically ventilated patients receiving enteral nutrition cannot be recommended.

Meta analysis of continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia

Objective To assess the effectiveness of continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS)in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia.Methods The relevant randomized controlled trials were searched in the Cochrane Library,Pubmed,CNKI,VIP and Wanfang databases.The experimental group received CASS and the control group did not(NASS group).Two reviewers selected studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,the quality of studies was critically appraised and data were extracted by two reviewers independently.Meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.2.Results Sixteen randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and enrolled 2 576 patients.According to the meta analysis,compared with NASS,CASS reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia,shortened the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the duration of mechanical ventilation.There was no effect on hospital mortality.Conclusions Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions appears effective in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia,decreasing the duration of intensive care unit length of stay and mechanical ventilation among critically ill patients with mechanical ventilation. Key words: Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions; Ventilator-associated pneumonia; Meta-analysis

Analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia infection route by genome macrorestriction-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and its prevention with combined nursing strategies.

The aim of the present study was to explore the infection route of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and assess the effectiveness of a combined nursing strategy to prevent VAP in intensive care units. Bacteria from the gastric juice and drainage from the hypolarynx and lower respiratory tracts of patients with VAP were analyzed using genome macrorestriction-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (GM-PFGE). A total of 124 patients with tracheal intubation were placed in the intervention group and were treated with a combined nursing strategy, comprising mosapride (gastric motility stimulant) administration and semi-reclining positioning. A total of 112 intubated patients were placed in the control group and received routine nursing care. The incidence rate of VAP, days of ventilation and mortality rate of patients were compared between the two groups. The GM-PFGE fingerprinting results of three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the gastric juice, subglottic secretion drainage and drainage of the lower respiratory tract in patients with VAP were similar across groups. The number of days spent on a ventilator by patients in the intervention group (7.37±5.32 days) was lower compared with that by patients in the control group (12.34±4.98 days) (P<0.05). The incidence rate of VAP was reduced from 40.81 to 21.25% following intervention with the combined nursing strategy (P<0.05); furthermore, the mortality rate of intubated patients in the intervention group was 29.46%, a significant reduction compared with the 41.94% mortality rate observed in the control group (P<0.05). Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was confirmed as one of the infection routes for VAP. The combined nursing strategy of gastric motility stimulant administration and the adoption of a semi-reclining position was effective in preventing VAP by reducing the occurrence of GER.

Subglottic secretion drainage and continuous control of cuff pressure used together save health care costs

Preventive strategies to reduce ventilator-associated respiratory infection (VARI) include the use of an endotracheal tube incorporating a lumen for subglottic secretion drainage (SSD) and a system for continuous control of endotracheal tube cuff pressure (CCCP). The health care costs associated with the combined use of these 2 measures aimed at preventing VARI are not known, however. The objective of this study was to determine whether the simultaneous use of these 2 preventive measures for VARI could save health care costs. We performed a prospective observational study of patients who needed mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit. The health care costs considered here included only the costs of the endotracheal tube, cuff control, and antimicrobials used to treat VARI. The study cohort comprised 656 patients, including 241 with intermittent control of cuff pressure and without SSD (standard group), 260 with CCCP and without SSD (CCCP group), 84 with intermittent control of cuff pressure and with SSD (SSD group), and 71 with CCCP and SSD (CCCP + SSD group). The incidence of VARI and health care costs were lower in the CCCP + SSD group compared with the standard, CCCP, and SSD groups. The combined use of SSD and CCCP reduced the incidence of VARI and saved health care costs.

Pneumonia prevention to decrease mortality in intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the strategies of prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia that reduce mortality in intensive care unit (ICU). We followed PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (through 10 June 2014) as well as reference lists of articles. We included all randomized controlled trials conducted in critically ill adult patients hospitalized in ICUs and evaluating digestive prophylactic methods (selective digestive decontamination [SDD], acidification of gastric content, early enteral feeding, prevention of microinhalation); circuit prophylactic methods (closed suctioning systems, early tracheotomy, aerosolized antibiotics, humidification, lung secretion drainage, silver-coated endotracheal tubes) or oropharyngeal prophylactic methods (selective oropharyngeal decontamination, patient position, sinusitis prophylaxis, subglottic secretion drainage, tracheal cuff monitoring). One reviewer extracted data that were checked by 3 others. The primary outcome was the mortality rate in the ICU. We identified 157 randomized trials to pool in a meta-analysis. The primary outcome was available in 145 studies (n = 37 156). The risk ratio (RR) for death was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], .92-.99; P = .02) in the intervention groups. In subgroup analysis, only SDD significantly decreased mortality compared with control (n = 10 227; RR, 0.84 [95% CI, .76-.92; P < .001]). The RR for in-ICU death was 0.78 (95% CI, .69-.89; P < .001; I(2) = 33%) in trials investigating SDD with systemic antimicrobial therapy and 1.00 (.84-1.21; P = .96; I(2) = 0%) without systemic antimicrobial therapy. Selective digestive decontamination with systemic antimicrobial therapy reduced mortality and should be considered in critically ill patients at high risk for death.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients admitted to intensive care units, using open or closed endotracheal suctioning.

Background:Critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation require frequent suctioning of airway secretion. Closed suction permits suctioning without disconnection from ventilator; so it might decrease hypoxemia and infection rate.Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the effect of closed tracheal suction system (CTSS) versus open tracheal suction system (OTSS).Patients and Methods:This is a prospective randomized study, which was carried on 100 patients in surgical Intensive Care Unit requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours from June 2012 to November 2013. In two groups, suction was performed based on the patients' need as well as physician's or nurses' decision on tracheal secretions. Patients randomly allocated into two groups (50 patients each): CTSS group and OTSS group. Patients were monitored for developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) during the study. Throat samples were taken on admission and two times per week from each patient. Tracheal samples were performed during endotracheal intubation, two times per week during mechanical ventilation and during extubation.Results:Drainage of subglottic secretions decreased the incidence of VAP (P < 0.05). Also type of the pharmacologic medicine for stress ulcer prophylaxis has significant effect on VAP incidence. Among the patients in OTSS and CTSS groups, 20% and 12% developed VAP, respectively. Use of CTSS compared with OTSS did not show statistically significant effect on VAP incidence in multivariate analysis; however, OR (odds ratio) tended to identify OTSS as an exposure factor for the development of VAP (OR = 1.92; CI = 0.45-8.30; = 0.38) compared with the CTSS. Higher levels of APACHE II score, sinusitis and tracheostomy put the patients at the risk of VAP. However, using heat and moisture exchanger (HME) instead of humidifier decreased this risk.Conclusions:Based on the results obtained from our study, impact of suctioning is similar between CTSS and OTSS regarding the occurrence of VAP. It seems that physicians must consider many factors such as duration of mechanical ventilation, comorbidities, oxygenation parameters, number of required suctioning, and the cost prior to using each type of tracheal suction system.

Impact of subglottic suctioning on the incidence of pneumonia after cardiac surgery: a retrospective observational study.

Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS) has been found to decrease the incidence of pneumonia in the general intensive care unit (ICU) population, but its benefit in cardiac surgery patients is unclear. The present study aimed to determine whether the routine use of CASS in cardiac surgical patients was associated with decreased pneumonia. A retrospective, single-center observational study. The study was conducted in a quaternary care cardiac surgery center and university research hospital. 4,880 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. The control group (no CASS) received a standard endotracheal tube and underwent surgery between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009. The intervention group (CASS) received a subglottic suctioning endotracheal tube and underwent surgery between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011. The primary outcome was the development of pneumonia, and the secondary outcomes were 30-day in-hospital mortality, ventilation time, need for tracheostomy, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS. The unadjusted incidence of pneumonia was 1.9% in the CASS group and 5.6% in the control group (p<0.0001). The CASS group also had lower 30-day in-hospital mortality (2.1% v 3.3%; p = 0.007), median ventilation time (8.42 v 7.3 hours; p<0.0001), and shorter median ICU LOS (1.77 v 1.17 days; p<0.0004) compared with the control group. Tracheostomy rates and median hospital LOS did not differ between groups. After adjusting using multivariable modeling, CASS remained an independent risk predictor for pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 0.342, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.239-0.490) and ICU LOS (OR 0.817, 95% CI 0.718-0.931). The universal implementation of CASS in a quaternary care cardiac surgical population was associated with a decreased incidence of pneumonia.

Association among duration of mechanical ventilation, cuff material of endotracheal tube, and postoperative nosocomial pneumonia in cardiac surgical patients: A prospective study

Postoperative pulmonary complications are a burden for high-risk surgical patients with a risk of aspiration of subglottic secretions along the polyvinyl chloride cuff. The introduction of a polyurethane cuff diminishes secretion leakage with a decreased rate of pneumonia. The aim of the current analysis was to determine the time at which a polyurethane cuffed endotracheal tube might be advantageous to prevent aspiration in a setting of high-risk surgical patients. The present investigation is based on published data obtained in postoperative cardiac surgical patients undergoing operation from 2006 to 2007. Cuff pressure was kept between 20 and 26 cmH2O intraoperatively and in the intensive care unit. The current post hoc analysis determines (1) the discriminatory cutoff value of intubation duration for predicting postoperative pneumonia and (2) the potential factors associated with prolonged intubation. Forty-three patients (32%) were diagnosed with early postoperative pneumonia. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed a cutoff value of 16.6 hours for the duration of mechanical ventilation to discriminate patients with postoperative pneumonia. A stepwise binary logistic regression analysis revealed that a polyvinyl chloride cuff was associated with a 10-fold increased risk for prolonged intubation. The current analyses provide evidence that among cardiac surgical patients, mechanical ventilation more than 16.6 hours is associated with an increased likelihood of postoperative pneumonia.

Guidelines for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia and their implementation. The Spanish “Zero-VAP” bundle

Background“Zero-VAP” is a proposal for the implementation of a simultaneous multimodal intervention in Spanish intensive care units (ICU) consisting of a bundle of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention measures. Methods/designAn initiative of the Spanish Societies of Intensive Care Medicine and of Intensive Care Nurses, the project is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Health, and participation is voluntary. In addition to guidelines for VAP prevention, the “Zero-VAP” Project incorporates an integral patient safety program and continuous online validation of the application of the bundle. For the latter, VAP episodes and participation indices are entered into the web-based Spanish ICU Infection Surveillance Program “ENVIN-HELICS” database, which provides continuous information about local, regional and national VAP incidence rates. Implementation of the guidelines aims at the reduction of VAP to less than 9 episodes per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation.A total of 35 preventive measures were initially selected. A task force of experts used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group methodology to generate a list of 7 basic “mandatory” recommendations (education and training in airway management, strict hand hygiene for airway management, cuff pressure control, oral hygiene with chlorhexidine, semi-recumbent positioning, promoting measures that safely avoid or reduce time on ventilator, and discouraging scheduled changes of ventilator circuits, humidifiers and endotracheal tubes) and 3 additional “highly recommended” measures (selective decontamination of the digestive tract, aspiration of subglottic secretions, and a short course of iv antibiotic). DiscussionWe present the Spanish VAP prevention guidelines and describe the methodology used for the selection and implementation of the recommendations and the organizational structure of the project. Compared to conventional guideline documents, the associated safety assurance program, the online data recording and compliance control systems, as well as the existence of a pre-defined objective are the distinct features of “Zero VAP”.

Use of endotracheal tubes in continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions: Knowledge and expertise of respiratory therapists and nurses

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital acquired nosocomial infection that is commonly found in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS) is found to lower the incidence of VAP. The aim of this study was to assess respiratory therapists and nurses’ awareness and experiences about the Endotracheal Tubes (ETT) with CASS. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. Purposive sampling of 51 respiratory therapists and 51 nurses who were involved in taking care of critically ill patients in adult ICUs at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh were used. The questionnaire was related to the knowledge and experiences of respiratory therapists and nurses about the proper use of ETT with CASS. Results: The results suggest that the respiratory therapists were more knowledgeable in the use of ETT-CASS. However, both respiratory therapists and nurses had problems related to ETT design and materials. Most of these problems were related to cuff materials and its design, suctioning system and tubes, in addition to the availability of the equipment. Conclusion: This study presents a unique contribution to knowledge about the experiences of respiratory therapists and nurses who work in KAMC about the proper use of ETT-CASS. The results of this study showed that the use of ETT-CASS is yet to be popularly recognized. Thus, it should be acclaimed by further studies and promotion through formulation of updated protocols and educational programs.