Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
ReviewThe impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia on the Canadian health care system.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. It is associated with increased health care costs and duration of mechanical ventilation. Using published data and information from public health care providers, we sought to determine the impact of VAP on the Canadian health care system. ⋯ The impact of VAP on the Canadian health care system is considerable. Eradication of this preventable nosocomial infection would save lives and conserve scarce health care resources.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
Practice GuidelineComprehensive evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for ventilator-associated pneumonia: prevention.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in ventilated critically ill patients. ⋯ There are a growing number of evidence-based strategies for VAP prevention, which, if applied in practice, may reduce the incidence of this serious nosocomial infection.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
Practice GuidelineComprehensive evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for ventilator-associated pneumonia: diagnosis and treatment.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in ventilated critically ill patients. Despite a large amount of research evidence, the optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies for VAP remain controversial. ⋯ We present evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of VAP. Implementation of these recommendations into clinical practice may lessen the morbidity and mortality of patients who develop VAP.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
Comparative StudyEarly- and late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia acquired in the intensive care unit: comparison of risk factors.
To compare risk factors of early- (E) and late-onset (L) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ E-VAP and L-VAP have different risk factors, highlighting the need for developing specific preventive measures.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
Risk factors for treatment failure in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy.
The aim of this study was to investigate modifiable risk factors and predictors for treatment failure (TF) in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy. ⋯ Patients with comorbidities, who are severely ill and lymphocytopenic at the time of VAP diagnosis, are at high risk for TF.