American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Apr 1997
Cost analysis and clinical impact of weekly ventilator circuit changes in patients in intensive care unit.
The introduction of heated circuits and sealed, single-use humidifiers has prompted some investigators to question the traditional recommendations for changing ventilator circuits. We studied the clinical and cost impact of extending the circuit change interval from 72 hours to 7 days in our two intensive care units with 17 beds. ⋯ Weekly circuited changes in patients undergoing ventilation therapy in the intensive care unit are cost-effective and do not contribute to increased rates of nosocomial pneumonia.