Tuesday 2 September 2008

NICE/NPSA Issues Patient Safety Solution Guidance To Reduce The Risk Of Pneumonia In Patients On A Ventilator

�The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in collaboration with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued guidance to improve the safety of patients in the NHS in England and Wales by reduction the risk of pneumonia in patients aged 16 years and older wHO are on a ventilator.


Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lungs caused by bacterial, viral or fungous infection. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can come as a complication of mechanical ventilating system, particularly when ventilation is required for a lengthened period of time and in patients who are critically ominous. VAP is a significant problem - data from the USA suggests that it represents 31% of all intensive care unit of measurement (ICU)-acquired infections, and that it occurs in 9-27% of all intubated patients. Patients wHO develop VAP are at risk of serious complications (for deterrent example, acute respiratory distress syndrome) and have a significantly longer stay on breathing machine machines and in ICU.


NICE/NPSA possess recommended that for patients who are on a ventilator and have a tube placed into their mouth, olfactory organ or through and through the neck and depressed into their windpipe, healthcare professionals should:


- position patients with their upper body elevated (in a semi-recumbent or seated status) for as much of the time as possible. For some patients this will not be conquer (for exercise, those with spinal injuries).


- Include oral antiseptics (for example, chlorhexidine) as part of the oral hygiene regime for all patients world Health Organization are intubated and receiving mechanical airing.

Professor Bruce Campbell, Chairman, Patient Safety Advisory Committee said: "This guidance recommends two particular measures which serve to foreclose ventilator
associated pneumonia, and which ar simple to implement. Nursing patients with their amphetamine body raised is already very common practice, and use of oral antiseptics fits readily into the regular upkeep of the upper airway.


It is important to emphasize that this was not intended to be a comprehensive guideline - there ar many other measures which may conduce to reducing the risk of VAP. For model, there was evidence to support the use of systemic decontamination of the digestive parcel of land (SDD), merely many specialists in the UK have concerns about the possibility of more infections by multi-resistant bacterium if this were used routinely. The guidance gives specific recommendations for farther research to increase our knowledge of SDD in the context of UK practice."

Kevin Cleary, Medical Director, National Patient Safety Agency said: "Evidence suggests that Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is a important patient safety problem and can confidential information to further serious complications. This significant guidance recommends actions that will aid improve the situation and help shorten the peril of pneumonia in patients who ar on a ventilator."

About NICE


1. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent arrangement responsible for providing national guidance on the furtherance of good health and the bar and handling of ill health.


2. NICE produces guidance in three areas of wellness:


- public health- guidance on the furtherance of sound health and the bar of ill health for those functional in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector


- health technologies - guidance on the exercise of fresh and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS


- clinical practice - steering on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.

About the NPSA


3. The National Patient Safety Agency encompasses the National Research Ethics Service, Patient Safety Division and the National Clinical Assessment Service. Our vision is to lead and chip in to improved, safe patient care by informing, encouraging and influencing healthcare individuals and organisations. Each division works within its firmament of expertness to improve patient outcomes. For more information see: http://www.npsa.nhs.uk

About the affected role safety cowcatcher


4. As a result of the review of patient safety accredited by the Chief Medical Officer1, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) were asked to develop and evaluate a pilot project for the production of a proficient solution to address patient safety problems, which testament form steering for the NHS. NICE's core principles of guidance development volition be applied to the project. These principles include:


- A comprehensive evidence base

- Independent advisory committees

- Clinical and patient expert input

- Transparent process and decision making

- Genuine consultation

- Effective public exposure and effectuation

- Regular recapitulation.


5. Guidance on the technical patient role safety solutions for bar of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults bum be found on the NICE web site at http://www.nice.org.uk/PatientSafetyPilot.

http://www.nice.org.uk


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