Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Pediatric Nursing

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) VAP is the second most common hospital-acquired infection in PICUs, which linked with increased morbidity, mortality, costs, and length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit. Aim: The study aimed to explore the risk factors of VAP among infants in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Setting: The study conducted at pediatric intensive care units at El- Mounira Pediatric University Hospital and Specialized Pediatric Hospital which affiliated to Cairo-University hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample of 54 mechanically ventilated infants for more than 48 hours enrolled in the study. Tools: The required data was collected by using risk factors assessment tool and standardized observational checklists which consist of three parts: general infection control measures, nasogastric tube feeding and endotracheal tube suctioning. Results: The current study results revealed that, more than half of infants are less than 6 months of age, and nearly two-thirds are males, nearly three quarters of infants developed VAP. Prior antibiotic use, sedatives administration, absence of routine oral care, previous non-invasive ventilation, reintubation, increase length of stay on mechanical ventilation and PICUs, coma, incompetent general infection control measures, incompetent endotracheal tube suctioning technique, supine position, incompetent nasogastric tube feeding technique, presence of nasogastric tube and oral route of endotracheal tube were statistically significant risk factors associated with VAP. More than half of VAP infants died during period of hospitalization

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