The impact of inspiratory pressure level on prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Introduction

Nosocomial infection remains a major problem in medical centers and is a common cause of increased hospital costs.

^, Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the common nosocomial infections that occur in patients who require mechanical ventilation. This kind of infection develops more than 48 h after intubation and is not present at the time of intubation. ^, It is the first cause of nosocomial infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) with mortality rates of VAP reported to be as high as 50%. VAP is associated with an increase in the length of hospital stay, mechanical ventilation time, and hospital costs. Recent investigations have estimated VAP-related hospital costs to be between $25,000 to $28,000 per patient in the United States and £6,000 to £22,000 per patient in the United Kingdom. Atelectasis is known as a cause of pulmonary complications such as pneumonia. An increase in total lung capacity with high airway inflation pressure could reverse lung atelectasis. Studies have shown that recruitment maneuvers (RMs) could decrease atelectasis.