Semi-recumbent position versus supine position for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults requiring mechanical ventilation

Impact of a Rounding Checklist Implementation in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit on Clinical Outcomes

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive care unit (ICU) round checklist, FAST HUGS BID (Feeding, Analgesia, Sedation, Thromboembolic prophylaxis, Head-of-bed elevation, Ulcer prophylaxis, Glycemic control, Spontaneous breathing trial, Bowel regimen, Indwelling catheter removal, and De-escalation of antibiotics-abbreviated as FD hereafter), in improving clinical outcomes in patients with severe trauma. We included patients admitted to our trauma ICU from 2016 to 2020 and divided them into two groups: before (before-FD, 2016-2017) and after (after-FD, 2019-2020) implementation of the checklist. We compared patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, including ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable logistic regression models; furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with ICU and hospital LOS. Compared with the before-FD group, the after-FD group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality and complication rates, shorter ICU and hospital LOS, and reduced duration of mechanical ventilation. Moreover, implementation of the checklist was a significant independent factor in reducing ICU and hospital LOS and in-hospital mortality. Implementation of the FD checklist is associated with decreased ICU and hospital LOS and in-hospital mortality.

Rebound Inverts the Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Prevention Effect of Antibiotic Based Decontamination Interventions in ICU Cohorts with Prolonged Length of Stay

Could rebound explain the paradoxical lack of prevention effect against Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infections (BSIs) with antibiotic-based decontamination intervention (BDI) methods among studies of ICU patients within the literature? Two meta-regression models were applied, each versus the group mean length of stay (LOS). Firstly, the prevention effects against S. aureus BSI [and S. aureus VAP] among 136 studies of antibiotic-BDI versus other interventions were analyzed. Secondly, the S. aureus BSI [and S. aureus VAP] incidence in 268 control and intervention cohorts from studies of antibiotic-BDI versus that among 165 observational cohorts as a benchmark was modelled. In model one, the meta-regression line versus group mean LOS crossed the null, with the antibiotic-BDI prevention effect against S. aureus BSI at mean LOS day 7 (OR 0.45; 0.30 to 0.68) inverted at mean LOS day 20 (OR 1.7; 1.1 to 2.6). In model two, the meta-regression line versus group mean LOS crossed the benchmark line, and the predicted S. aureus BSI incidence for antibiotic-BDI groups was 0.47; 0.09-0.84 percentage points below versus 3.0; 0.12-5.9 above the benchmark in studies with 7 versus 20 days mean LOS, respectively. Rebound within the intervention groups attenuated and inverted the prevention effect of antibiotic-BDI against S. aureus VAP and BSI, respectively. This explains the paradoxical findings.

Indirect (herd) effects of topical antibiotic prophylaxis and oral care versus non-antimicrobial methods increase mortality among ICU patients: realigning Cochrane review data to emulate a three-tier cluster randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the direct effects to recipients and indirect (herd) effects to non-recipients of each of topical antibiotic prophylaxis (TAP) and oral care methods on patient mortality within randomised concurrent controlled trials (RCCT) using Cochrane review data.

DESIGN

Control and intervention groups from 209 RCCTs of TAP (tier 3), oral care (tier 2) each versus non-antimicrobial (tier 1) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention interventions arranged to emulate a three-tiered cluster randomised trial (CRT). Eligible RCCTs were those including ICU patients with >50% of patients receiving >24 hours of mechanical ventilation (MV) with mortality data available as abstracted in 13 Cochrane reviews.

EXPOSURES

Direct and indirect exposures to either TAP or oral care within RCCTs versus non-antimicrobial VAP prevention interventions.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The ICU mortality within control and intervention groups, respectively, within RCCTs of either TAP or oral care versus that within non-antimicrobial VAP prevention RCCTs serving as benchmark.

RESULTS

The ICU mortality was 23.9%, 23.0% and 20.3% for intervention groups and 28.7%, 25.5% and 19.5% for control groups of RCCTs of TAP (tier 1), oral care (tier 2) and non-antimicrobial (tier 3) methods of VAP prevention, respectively. In a random effects meta-regression including late mortality data and adjusting for group mean age, year of study publication and MV proportion, the direct effect of TAP and oral care versus non-antimicrobial methods were 1.04 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.30) and 1.1 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.43) whereas the indirect effects were 1.39 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.74) and 1.26 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.62), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Indirect (herd) effects from TAP and oral care methods on mortality are stronger than the direct effects as made apparent by the three-tiered CRT. These indirect effects, being harmful to concurrent control groups by increasing mortality, perversely inflate the appearance of benefit within RCCTs.

Length of intensive care unit stay and the apparent efficacy of antimicrobial-based versus non-antimicrobial-based ventilator pneumonia prevention interventions within the Cochrane review database

BACKGROUND

The risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) increases with intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). The objectives here are to estimate, using data derived from randomized concurrent control trials (RCCTs) of non-antimicrobial versus antimicrobial interventions, the relation of LOS with firstly, apparent VAP prevention effect, and secondly, with VAP incidence in control and intervention groups.

METHODS

Control and intervention group data derived from 13 Cochrane reviews of 78 RCCTs of antimicrobial-based interventions versus 111 RCCTs of various non-antimicrobial-based VAP prevention interventions.

RESULTS

In meta-regression models of VAP prevention effect versus group mean LOS, the effect size of non-antimicrobial-based interventions regress towards the null (+0.028; +0.002 to +0.054) whereas antimicrobial-based interventions regress away from the null (-0.043; -0.08 to -0.004). The day 9-10 VAP incidence increase is 1.28 (0.97-1.6) percentage points among the control groups of antimicrobial interventions per day. By contrast, these increases among antimicrobial- (0.45; 0.19-0.71) and non-antimicrobial- (0.58; 0.29-0.87) intervention groups and in control groups of non-antimicrobial- (0.76; 0.46-1.05) interventions are all similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Antimicrobial-based versus non-antimicrobial-based interventions show overall greater apparent VAP prevention which is most apparent with longer group mean LOS. The basis for this surprising relationship with LOS resides, paradoxically, within the control rather than the intervention groups. This discrepancy implicates indirect (spill-over) effects, inapparent within individual antimicrobial-based RCCTs, which could spuriously conflate the appearance of VAP prevention.

Establishing the safety of selective digestive decontamination within the ICU population: a bridge too far?

BACKGROUND

Infection prevention interventions within the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, whether studied within quality improvement projects or cluster randomized trials (CRT), are seen as low risk and grounded in an ethical imperative. Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) appears highly effective at preventing ICU infections within randomized concurrent control trials (RCCTs) prompting mega-CRTs with mortality as the primary endpoint.

FINDINGS

Surprisingly, the summary results of RCCTs versus CRTs differ strikingly, being respectively, a 15-percentage-point versus a zero-percentage-point ICU mortality difference between control versus SDD intervention groups. Multiple other discrepancies are equally puzzling and contrary to both prior expectations and the experience within population-based studies of infection prevention interventions using vaccines. Could spillover effects from SDD conflate the RCCT control group event rate differences and represent population harm? Evidence that SDD is fundamentally safe to concurrent non-recipients in ICU populations is absent. A postulated CRT to realize this, the SDD Herd Effects Estimation Trial (SHEET), would require > 100 ICUs to achieve sufficient statistical power to find a two-percentage-point mortality spillover effect. Moreover, as a potentially harmful population-based intervention, SHEET would pose novel and insurmountable ethical issues including who is the research subject; whether informed consent is required and from whom; whether there is equipoise; the benefit versus the risk; considerations of vulnerable groups; and who should be the gatekeeper?

CONCLUSION

The basis for the mortality difference between control and intervention groups of SDD studies remains unclear. Several paradoxical results are consistent with a spillover effect that would conflate the inference of benefit originating from RCCTs. Moreover, this spillover effect would constitute to herd peril.

Association Between Daily Average of Mobility Achieved During Physical Therapy Sessions and Hospital-Acquired or Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia among Critically Ill Patients

PURPOSE

Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonias (HAP and VAP) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Immobility is a risk factor for developing ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW). Early mobilization is associated with improved physical function, but its association with hospital-acquired (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAP) is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between daily average of highest level of mobility achieved during physical therapy (PT) and incidence of HAP or VAP among critically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study of progressive mobility program participants in the medical ICU, we used a validated method to abstract new diagnoses of HAP and VAP. We captured scores on a mobility scale achieved during each inpatient physical therapy session and used a Bayesian, discrete time-to-event model to evaluate the association between daily average of highest level of mobility achieved and occurrence of HAP or VAP.

RESULTS

The primary outcome of HAP/VAP occurred in 55 (26.8%) of the 205 participants. Each increase in the daily average of highest level of mobility achieved during PT (0-6 mobility scale) exhibited a protective association with occurrence of HAP or VAP (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.61; 95% CI 0.44, 0.85). Age, baseline ambulatory status, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, and previous day's mechanical ventilation (MV) status were not significantly associated with the occurrence of HAP/VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Among critically ill patients in a progressive mobility program, a higher daily average of highest level of mobility achieved during PT was associated with a decreased risk of HAP or VAP.

Elevation of the head of bed reduces splanchnic blood flow in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension

BACKGROUND

Elevation of the head of bed (HOB) increases intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), but the effect of body position on abdominal splanchnic perfusion is not clear. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of body position on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the celiac artery (CA) blood flow by Doppler ultrasound in mechanically ventilated patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 53 mechanically ventilated patients with IAH. IAP, hemodynamic variables, and Doppler parameters of the SMA and CA were measured in the supine position. The measurements were repeated after the HOB angle was raised to 15° for 5 min and similarly at HOB angles of 30° and 45°. Finally, the patient was returned to the supine and these variables were re-measured.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range, IQR) superior mesenteric artery blood flow (SMABF) decreased from 269 (244-322) to 204 (183-234) mL/min and the median (IQR) celiac artery blood flow (CABF) from 424 (368-483) to 376 (332-472) mL/min (both p<0.0001) while median (IQR) IAP increased from 14(13-16) to 16(14-18) mmHg (p<0.0001) when the HOB angle was changed from 0° to 15°. However, SMABF and CABF were maintained at similar levels from 15° to 30°, despite median (IQR) IAP increased to 17(15-18) mmHg (p = 0.0002). Elevation from 30° to 45° further reduced median (IQR) SMABF from 200(169-244) to 164(139-212) mL/min and CABF from 389(310-438) to 291(241-383) mL/min (both p<0.0001), Meanwhile, median (IQR) IAP increased to 19(18-21) mmHg (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In mechanically ventilated patients with IAH, progressive elevation of the HOB from a supine to semi-recumbent position was associated with a gradual reduction in splanchnic blood flow. However, the results indicate that splanchnic blood flow is not further reduced when the HOB is elevated from 15° to 30°.This study confirms the influence of head-up angle on blood flow of the splanchnic organs and may contribute to the selection of the optimal position in patients with abdominal hypertension.

Structural equation modelling the impact of antimicrobials on the human microbiome. Colonization resistance versus colonization susceptibility as case studies

The impact of antimicrobials on the human microbiome and its relationship to human health are of great interest. How antimicrobial exposure might drive change within specific constituents of the microbiome to effect clinically relevant endpoints is difficult to study. Clinical investigation of each step within a network of causation would be challenging if done 'step-by-step'. An analytic tool of great potential to clinical microbiome research is structural equation modelling (SEM), which has a long history of applications to research questions arising within subject areas as diverse as psychology and econometrics. SEM enables postulated models based on a network of causation to be tested en bloc by confrontation with data derived from the literature. Case studies for the potential application of SEM techniques are colonization resistance (CR) and its counterpart, colonization susceptibility (CS), wherein specific microbes within the microbiome are postulated to either impede (CR) or facilitate (CS) invasive infection with pathogenic bacteria. These postulated networks have three causation steps: exposure to specific antimicrobials are key drivers, clinically relevant infection endpoints are the measurable observables and the activity of key microbiome constituents mediating CR or CS, which may be unobservable, appear as latent variables in the model. SEM methods have potential application towards evaluating the activity of specific antimicrobial agents within postulated networks of causation using clinically derived data.

Candida and the Gram-positive trio: testing the vibe in the ICU patient microbiome using structural equation modelling of literature derived data

Background

Whether Candida interacts with Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) and Enterococci, to enhance their invasive potential from the microbiome of ICU patients remains unclear. Several effective anti-septic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, and non-decontamination based interventions studied for prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and other ICU acquired infections among patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) are known to variably impact Candida colonization. The collective observations within control and intervention groups from numerous ICU infection prevention studies enables tests of these postulated microbial interactions in the clinical context.

Methods

Four candidate generalized structural equation models (GSEM), each with Staphylococcus aureus, CNS and Enterococci colonization, defined as latent variables, were confronted with blood culture and respiratory tract isolate data derived from 460 groups of ICU patients receiving prolonged MV from 283 infection prevention studies.

Results

Introducing interaction terms between Candida colonization and each of S aureus (coefficient + 0.40; 95% confidence interval + 0.24 to + 0.55), CNS (+ 0.68; + 0.34 to + 1.0) and Enterococcal (+ 0.56; + 0.33 to + 0.79) colonization (all as latent variables) improved the fit for each model. The magnitude and significance level of the interaction terms were similar to the positive associations between exposure to topical antibiotic prophylaxis (TAP) on Enterococcal (+ 0.51; + 0.12 to + 0.89) and Candida colonization (+ 0.98; + 0.35 to + 1.61) versus the negative association of TAP with S aureus (− 0.45; − 0.70 to − 0.20) colonization and the negative association of anti-fungal exposure and Candida colonization (− 1.41; − 1.6 to − 0.72).

Conclusions

GSEM modelling of published ICU infection prevention data enables the postulated interactions between Candida and Gram-positive bacteria to be tested using clinically derived data. The optimal model implies interactions occurring in the human microbiome facilitating bacterial invasion and infection. This interaction might also account for the paradoxically high bacteremia incidences among studies of TAP in ICU patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12982-022-00116-9.

GSEM modelling of published ICU infection prevention data from > 250 studies enables a test of and provides support to the interaction between Candida and Gram-positive bacteria.

The various ICU infection prevention interventions may each broadly impact the patient microbiome.

[Update of the recommendations of the Pneumonia Zero project]

La pandemia por el SARS-Cov-2 ha impactado negativamente en la aplicación de las recomendaciones de Neumonía Zero y se ha acompañado de un incremento de las tasas de Neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) en las unidades de cuidados intensivos de España. Con el objetivo de disminuir las tasas actuales a 7 episodios por 1000 días de VM, se han actualizado las recomendaciones del proyecto inicial.

Se identificaron, 27 medidas que se clasificaron en 12 medidas funcionales (posición semisentada, higiene estricta de manos, entrenamiento para manipular la vía aérea, valoración diaria de posible extubación, protocolización del destete, traqueostomía precoz, ventilación no invasiva, vigilancia microbiológica, cambio de tubuladuras, humidificación, fisioterapia respiratoria, nutrición enteral postpilórica), 7 mecánicas (control de la presión del neumotaponamiento, tubos con aspiración subglótica, nutrición con sondas de bajo calibre/en intestino delgado, aspiración de secreciones con circuitos cerrados/abiertos, filtros respiratorios, cepillado de dientes, técnicas de presión negativa en la aspiración de secreciones) y 8 farmacológicas (descontaminación selectiva digestiva, descontaminación orofaríngea, ciclo corto de antibióticos, higiene de boca con clorhexidina, antibióticos inhalados, rotación de antibióticos, probióticos, anticuerpos monoclonales).

Cada medida se analizó de forma independiente, por al menos dos miembros del grupo de trabajo, mediante una revisión sistemática de la literatura y una revisión iterativa de las recomendaciones de las sociedades científicas y/o grupos de expertos.

Para la clasificación de la calidad de la evidencia y fuerza de las recomendaciones se siguió la propuesta del grupo GRADE. Para determinar el grado de recomendación, cada medida fue puntuada por todos los miembros del grupo de trabajo en relación con su efectividad, tolerabilidad y aplicabilidad en las UCI españolas a corto plazo de tiempo. Se solicitó el apoyo de expertos externos en alguna de las medidas que se revisaron. Se seleccionaron aquellas medidas que alcanzaron la máxima puntuación.

Clinical evaluation of prone position ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by sepsis

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute, diffuse, inflammatory lung injury. Previous studies have shown prone position ventilation (PPV) to be associated with improvement in oxygenation. However, its role in patients with ARDS caused by sepsis remains unknown.

AIM

To analyze the clinical effects of PPV in patients with ARDS caused by sepsis.

METHODS

One hundred and two patients with ARDS were identified and divided into a control group (n = 55) and a PPV treatment group (n = 47). Outcomes included oxygenation index, lung compliance (Cst) and platform pressure (Pplat), which were compared between the two groups after ventilation. Other outcomes included heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the length of mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) after ventilation. Finally, mortality rate was also compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

On the first day after ventilation, the oxygenation index and Cst were higher and Pplat level was lower in the PPV group than in the conventional treatment group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in oxygenation index, Cst, and Pplat levels between the two groups on the 2^nd, 4^th, and 7^th day after ventilation (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in HR, MAP, CVP, LVEF, duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and the levels of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 between the two groups on the first day after ventilation (all P > 0.05). The mortality rates on days 28 and 90 in the PPV and control groups were 12.77% and 29.09%, and 25.53% and 45.45%, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PPV may improve respiratory mechanics indices and may also have mortality benefit in patients with ARDS caused by sepsis. Finally, PPV was not shown to cause any adverse effects on hemodynamics and inflammation indices.

Positioning for acute respiratory distress in hospitalised infants and children

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a significant cause of hospitalisation and death in young children. Positioning and mechanical ventilation have been regularly used to reduce respiratory distress and improve oxygenation in hospitalised patients. Due to the association of prone positioning (lying on the abdomen) with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) within the first six months, it is recommended that young infants be placed on their back (supine). However, prone positioning may be a non-invasive way of increasing oxygenation in individuals with acute respiratory distress, and offers a more significant survival advantage in those who are mechanically ventilated. There are substantial differences in respiratory mechanics between adults and infants. While the respiratory tract undergoes significant development within the first two years of life, differences in airway physiology between adults and children become less prominent by six to eight years old. However, there is a reduced risk of SIDS during artificial ventilation in hospitalised infants. Thus, an updated review focusing on positioning for infants and young children with ARDS is warranted. This is an update of a review published in 2005, 2009, and 2012.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of different body positions in hospitalised infants and children with acute respiratory distress syndrome aged between four weeks and 16 years.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL from January 2004 to July 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing two or more positions for the management of infants and children hospitalised with ARDS.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data from each study. We resolved differences by consensus, or referred to a third contributor to arbitrate. We analysed bivariate outcomes using an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We analysed continuous outcomes using a mean difference (MD) and 95% CI. We used a fixed-effect model, unless heterogeneity was significant (I² statistic > 50%), when we used a random-effects model.

MAIN RESULTS

We included six trials: four cross-over trials, and two parallel randomised trials, with 198 participants aged between 4 weeks and 16 years, all but 15 of whom were mechanically ventilated. Four trials compared prone to supine positions. One trial compared the prone position to good-lung dependent (where the person lies on the side of the healthy lung, e.g. if the right lung was healthy, they were made to lie on the right side), and independent (or non-good-lung independent, where the person lies on the opposite side to the healthy lung, e.g. if the right lung was healthy, they were made to lie on the left side) position. One trial compared good-lung independent to good-lung dependent positions. When the prone (with ventilators) and supine positions were compared, there was no information on episodes of apnoea or mortality due to respiratory events. There was no conclusive result in oxygen saturation (SaO_2; MD 0.40 mmHg, 95% CI -1.22 to 2.66; 1 trial, 30 participants; very low certainty evidence); blood gases, PCO₂ (MD 3.0 mmHg, 95% CI -1.93 to 7.93; 1 trial, 99 participants; low certainty evidence), or PO₂ (MD 2 mmHg, 95% CI -5.29 to 9.29; 1 trial, 99 participants; low certainty evidence); or lung function (PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio; MD 28.16 mmHg, 95% CI -9.92 to 66.24; 2 trials, 121 participants; very low certainty evidence). However, there was an improvement in oxygenation index (FiO₂% X M_PAW/ PaO₂) with prone positioning in both the parallel trials (MD -2.42, 95% CI -3.60 to -1.25; 2 trials, 121 participants; very low certainty evidence), and the cross-over study (MD -8.13, 95% CI -15.01 to -1.25; 1 study, 20 participants). Derived indices of respiratory mechanics, such as tidal volume, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were reported. There was an apparent decrease in tidal volume between prone and supine groups in a parallel study (MD -0.60, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.15; 1 study, 84 participants; very low certainty evidence). When prone and supine positions were compared in a cross-over study, there were no conclusive results in respiratory compliance (MD 0.07, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.24; 1 study, 10 participants); changes in PEEP (MD -0.70 cm H₂O, 95% CI -2.72 to 1.32; 1 study, 10 participants); or resistance (MD -0.00, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.04; 1 study, 10 participants). One study reported adverse events. There were no conclusive results for potential harm between groups in extubation (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.13 to 2.54; 1 trial, 102 participants; very low certainty evidence); obstructions of the endotracheal tube (OR 5.20, 95% CI 0.24 to 111.09; 1 trial, 102 participants; very low certainty evidence); pressure ulcers (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.44; 1 trial, 102 participants; very low certainty evidence); and hypercapnia (high levels of arterial carbon dioxide; OR 3.06, 95% CI 0.12 to 76.88; 1 trial, 102 participants; very low certainty evidence). One study (50 participants) compared supine positions to good-lung dependent and independent positions. There was no conclusive evidence that PaO₂ was different between supine and good-lung dependent positioning (MD 3.44 mm Hg, 95% CI -23.12 to 30.00; 1 trial, 25 participants; very low certainty evidence). There was also no conclusive evidence for supine position and good-lung independent positioning (MD -2.78 mmHg, 95% CI -28.84, 23.28; 25 participants; very low certainty evidence); or between good-lung dependent and independent positioning (MD 6.22, 95% CI -21.25 to 33.69; 1 trial, 25 participants; very low certainty evidence). As most trials did not describe how possible biases were addressed, the potential for bias in these findings is unclear.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although included studies suggest that prone positioning may offer some advantage, there was little evidence to make definitive recommendations. There appears to be low certainty evidence that positioning improves oxygenation in mechanically ventilated children with ARDS. Due to the increased risk of SIDS with prone positioning and lung injury with artificial ventilation, it is recommended that hospitalised infants and children should only be placed in this position while under continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring.

Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

The purpose of this document is to highlight practical recommendations to assist acute care hospitals to prioritize and implement strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), ventilator-associated events (VAE), and non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) in adults, children, and neonates. This document updates the Strategies to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Acute Care Hospitals published in 2014. This expert guidance document is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology (SHEA), and is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Pneumonia acquired during hospitalization is called nosocomial pneumonia (NP). Nosocomial pneumonia is divided into two types. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) refers to hospital-acquired pneumonia, whereas ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) refers to ventilator-associated pneumonia. Most clinical literature stresses VAP’s importance and associated mortality and morbidity, whereas HAP is not given enough attention even while being the most common cause of NP. HAP, like VAP, carries a high mortality and morbidity. HAP is the commonest cause of mortality from hospital-acquired infections. HAP is a common determinant for intensive care unit (ICU) admits with respiratory failure. Recent research has identified definite risk factors responsible for HAP. If these are prevented or modified, the HAP incidence can be significantly decreased with improved clinical outcomes and lesser utilization of the health care resources. The prevention approach will need multiple strategies to address the issues. Precise epidemiological data on HAP is deficient due to limitations of the commonly used diagnostic measures. The diagnostic modalities available in HAP are less invasive than VAP. Recent infectious disease society guidelines have stressed the importance of HAP by removing healthcare-associated pneumonia as a diagnosis. Specific differences exist between HAP and VAP, which are gleaned over in this chapter.

Body position for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia for critically ill patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

The evidence about the best body position to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is unclear. The aim of this study was to know what the best body position is to prevent VAP, shorten the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and reduce mortality among patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

We performed a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials including intubated patients undergoing MV and admitted to an ICU. The assessed interventions were different body positions (i.e., lateral, prone, semi-recumbent) or alternative degrees of positioning in mechanically ventilated patients.

Results

Semi-recumbent and prone positions showed a risk reduction of VAP incidence (RR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.25–0.52) and mortality (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50–0.91), respectively, compared to the supine position. The ranking probabilities and the surface under the cumulative ranking displayed as the first best option of treatment the semi-recumbent position to reduce the incidence of VAP (71.4%), the hospital length of stay (68.9%), and the duration of MV (67.6%); and the prone position to decrease the mortality (89.3%) and to reduce the ICU length of stay (59.3%).

Conclusions

Cautiously, semi-recumbent seems to be the best position to reduce VAP incidence, hospital length of stay and the duration of MV. Prone is the most effective position to reduce the risk of mortality and the ICU length of stay, but it showed no effect on the VAP incidence.

Registration PROSPERO CRD42021247547

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40560-022-00600-z.

Effect of Cluster Nursing Based on Risk Management Strategy on Urinary Tract Infection in Patients With Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Objective

To observe the effect of cluster nursing based on risk management strategy in the management of urinary tract infection in patients with severe craniocerebral injury.

Methods

A total of 116 patients with severe craniocerebral injury who were admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to March 2021 were included. They were divided into the control group (58 patients) and the observation group (58 patients). The control group received routine nursing care and the observation group received cluster nursing based on risk management strategy. The incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), the results of bacterial culture on the surface of the urinary catheter, the incidence of nursing risk events, the duration of placing the urinary catheter, the length of hospital stay, and hospital costs as well as the patient satisfaction score were compared between the two groups. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scale for prevention of catheter infection and the competence evaluation scale of nurses were used to evaluate the sense-control ability and core competence of the interveners.

Results

The total incidence of CAUTI in the observation group was (6.90%) lower than that in the control group (20.69%) (p < 0.05). The bacterial culture results on the catheter surface of patients in the observation group before and after 6 and 12 h of catheter cleaning were better than those of patients in the control group (p < 0.05). The duration of indwelling urinary catheter, hospitalization time, and hospitalization expenses of patients in the observation group were lower than those of patients in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence rate of nursing risk events in the observation group was (1.72%) lower than that in the control group (11.86%) (p < 0.05). The overall satisfaction score of patients and the control and core ability scores of nursing staff in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cluster nursing based on risk management strategy can effectively reduce the incidence of nursing risk events and the probability of UTI in patients with severe craniocerebral injury, shorten the duration of indwelling urinary catheter and hospitalization.

Optimizing Physiology During Prehospital Airway Management: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document

Airway management is a critical component of resuscitation but also carries the potential to disrupt perfusion, oxygenation, and ventilation as a consequence of airway insertion efforts, the use of medications, and the conversion to positive-pressure ventilation. NAEMSP recommends:Airway management should be approached as an organized system of care, incorporating principles of teamwork and operational awareness.EMS clinicians should prevent or correct hypoxemia and hypotension prior to advanced airway insertion attempts.Continuous physiological monitoring must be used during airway management to guide the timing of, limit the duration of, and inform decision making during advanced airway insertion attempts.Initial and ongoing confirmation of advanced airway placement must be performed using waveform capnography. Airway devices must be secured using a reliable method.Perfusion, oxygenation, and ventilation should be optimized before, during, and after advanced airway insertion.To mitigate aspiration after advanced airway insertion, EMS clinicians should consider placing a patient in a semi-upright position.When appropriate, patients undergoing advanced airway placement should receive suitable pharmacologic anxiolysis, amnesia, and analgesia. In select cases, the use of neuromuscular blocking agents may be appropriate.

Aspiration Pneumonia in Adults Hospitalized With Stroke at a Large Academic Hospital in Zambia

Background and Objectives

Preventing complications of stroke such as poststroke aspiration pneumonia (PSAP) may improve stroke outcomes in resource-limited settings. We investigated the incidence and associated mortality of PSAP in Zambia.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of adults with stroke at University Teaching Hospital (Lusaka, Zambia) between December 2019 and March 2020. NIH Stroke Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Modified Rankin Scale scores and 9 indicators of possible PSAP were collected serially over each participant's admission. PSAP was defined as ≥4 indicators present, and possible PSAP as 2%-3% present. T tests and χ² tests were used to compare clinical parameters across PSAP groups. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative effects of age, sex, PSAP status, and initial stroke severity on inpatient mortality.

Results

We enrolled 125 participants. Mean age was 60 ± 16 years, 61% were female, 55% of strokes were ischemic, and the baseline NIH Stroke Scale score was 19.7 ± 8.7. Thirty-eight (30%) had PSAP, and 32 (26%) had possible PSAP. PSAP was associated with older age and more adverse stroke severity scores. Fifty-nine percent of participants with PSAP died compared with 39% with possible PSAP and 8% with no PSAP. PSAP status independently predicted inpatient mortality after controlling for age, sex, and initial stroke severity. Swallow screening was not performed for any participant.

Discussion

PSAP is common and life threatening in Zambia, especially among older participants with severe stroke presentations. PSAP was associated with significantly increased mortality independent of initial stroke severity, suggesting that interventions to mitigate PSAP may improve stroke outcomes in Zambia and other resource-limited settings.

Continuous Lower Abdominal Compression as a Therapeutic Intervention in COVID-19 ARDS

We report the case of a patient with severe COVID-19 ARDS, suggesting a possible therapeutic intervention by applying a continuous lower abdominal compression. In order to assess ventilation distribution, a lung CT scan was performed with and without lower abdominal compression.

Management of pneumonia in critically ill patients

Severe pneumonia is associated with high mortality (short and long term), as well as pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications. Appropriate diagnosis and early initiation of adequate antimicrobial treatment for severe pneumonia are crucial in improving survival among critically ill patients. Identifying the underlying causative pathogen is also critical for antimicrobial stewardship. However, establishing an etiological diagnosis is challenging in most patients, especially in those with chronic underlying disease; those who received previous antibiotic treatment; and those treated with mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, as antimicrobial therapy must be empiric, national and international guidelines recommend initial antimicrobial treatment according to the location's epidemiology; for patients admitted to the intensive care unit, specific recommendations on disease management are available. Adherence to pneumonia guidelines is associated with better outcomes in severe pneumonia. Yet, the continuing and necessary research on severe pneumonia is expansive, inviting different perspectives on host immunological responses, assessment of illness severity, microbial causes, risk factors for multidrug resistant pathogens, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic options.

The Distribution of Multidrug-resistant Microorganisms and Treatment Status of Hospital-acquired Pneumonia/Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Adult Intensive Care Units: a Prospective Cohort Observational Study

BACKGROUND

It is essential to determine the distribution of the causative microorganisms in the region and the status of local antibiotic resistance for the proper treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and causative strains of HAP/VAP, distribution of resistant bacteria, use of antibiotics, and the ensuing outcomes of patients in Korea.

METHODS

A multicenter prospective observational cohort study was conducted among patients with HAP/VAP admitted to the medical intensive care unit of 5 tertiary referral centers between August 2012 and June 2015. Patients' demographic and clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 381 patients were diagnosed with HAP/VAP. Their median age was 69 (59-76) years and 71% were males. A majority of the patients (88%) had late-onset (> 5 days) HAP/VAP. One-quarter of the patients (n = 99) had at least one risk factor for multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, such as prior intravenous antibiotic use within the last 90 days. Microbiological specimens were mostly obtained noninvasively (87%) using sputum or endotracheal aspirates. Pathogens were identified in 235 (62%) of the 381 patients. The most common bacterial pathogen was Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 89), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n = 52), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 25) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 22). Most of isolated A. baumannii (97%) and S. aureus (88%) were multidrug resistant. The most commonly used empirical antibiotic regimens were carbapenem-based antibiotics (38%), followed by extended-spectrum penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor (34%). Glycopeptide or linezolid were also used in combination in 54% of patients. The 28-day mortality rate of the patients with HAP/VAP was 30% and the 60-day mortality was 46%. Patients who used empirical antibiotics appropriately had significantly lower mortality rates than those who did not (28-day mortality: 25% vs. 40%, P = 0.032; 60-day mortality: 41% vs. 55%, P = 0.032, respectively). Administration of appropriate empirical antibiotics (odds ratio [OR], 0.282; confidence interval [CI], 0.092-0.859; P = 0.026), Day 7 treatment failure (OR, 4.515; CI, 1.545-13.192; P = 0.006), and APACHE II score on day 1 (OR, 1.326; CI, 0.988-1.779; P = 0.012) were the factors that determined the 28-day mortality in patients with HAP who had identified bacteria as pathogens.

CONCLUSION

In HAP/VAP patients, there was a large burden of MDR pathogens, and their associated mortality rate was high. Proper selection of empirical antibiotics was significantly associated with the patient's prognosis; however, there was a discrepancy between major pathogens and empirical antibiotic therapy.

Selective digestive decontamination, a seemingly effective regimen with individual benefit or a flawed concept with population harm?

Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) regimens, variously constituted with topical antibiotic prophylaxis (TAP) and protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis (PPAP), appear highly effective for preventing ICU-acquired infections but only within randomized concurrent control trials (RCCT's). Confusingly, SDD is also a concept which, if true, implies population benefit. The SDD concept can finally be reified  in humans using the broad accumulated evidence base, including studies of TAP and PPAP that used non-concurrent controls (NCC), as a natural experiment. However, this test implicates overall population harm with higher event rates associated with SDD use within the ICU context.

The Role of Dysbiosis in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) quickly spread worldwide, and the syndrome it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has reached pandemic proportions. Around 30% of patients with COVID-19 experience severe respiratory distress and are admitted to the intensive care unit for comprehensive critical care. Patients with COVID-19 often present an enhanced immune response with a hyperinflammatory state characterized by a "cytokine storm," which may reflect changes in the microbiota composition. Moreover, the evolution to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may increase the severity of COVID-19 and related dysbiosis. During critical illness, the multitude of therapies administered, including antibiotics, sedatives, analgesics, body position, invasive mechanical ventilation, and nutritional support, may enhance the inflammatory response and alter the balance of patients' microbiota. This status of dysbiosis may lead to hyper vulnerability in patients and an inappropriate response to critical circumstances. In this context, the aim of our narrative review is to provide an overview of possible interaction between patients' microbiota dysbiosis and clinical status of severe COVID-19 with ARDS, taking into consideration the characteristic hyperinflammatory state of this condition, respiratory distress, and provide an overview on possible nutritional strategies for critically ill patients with COVID-19-ARDS.

Role of head-of-bed elevation in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia bed elevation and pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Elevating the head of bed (HOB) to 30° to 45° is an evidence-based recommendation to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the available scientific data are inconclusive regarding the optimal degree of HOB elevation which is safe and effective for mechanically ventilated patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact a of semirecumbent position at 30° and 45°on the development of VAP as compared with aHOB elevation to <30°.

METHODS

A 5-day, single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel group, three-arm study was conducted in adult patients on mechanical ventilation staying in the intensive care unit. Patients were randomly placed in <30°, 30°, or 45° HOB elevation position on the day of intubation and followed up for 5 days. They were assessed in terms of the development of microbiologically confirmed VAP (by the culture of endotracheal aspirate) over the study period.

RESULTS

Sixty patients (20 in each arm) completed the study. VAP occurred in 55%, 25%, and 20% of patients in the HOB elevation to <30°, 30°, and 45°study arms, respectively. The frequency of VAP was significantly lower in the 45° compared with the <30° study arm (P = .022); there were no significant differences between the <30° and 30° as well as the 45° and 30° study groups. Unlike the frequency of VAP, the timing of the VAP (early or late) was not dependent on the degree of HOB elevation (P = .703).

CONCLUSIONS

Keeping the mechanically ventilated patients in a semirecumbent position as close to 45°as possible should be the goal to prevent the development of VAP. The backrest elevation <30° should be avoided unless medically indicated.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The study results reaffirm the crucial role of patient positioning, an essential nursing care intervention, in preventing VAP. Intensive care nurses can contribute to improving the VAP rates and outcomes by placing and keeping the patients in the correct position.

Transesophageal echocardiography-associated tracheal microaspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated critically ill patients: a multicenter prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Microaspiration of gastric and oropharyngeal secretions is the main causative mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a routine investigation tool in intensive care unit and could enhance microaspiration. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of TEE on microaspiration and VAP in intubated critically ill adult patients.

METHODS

It is a four-center prospective observational study. Microaspiration biomarkers (pepsin and salivary amylase) concentrations were quantitatively measured on tracheal aspirates drawn before and after TEE. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with TEE-associated microaspiration, defined as: (1) ≥ 50% increase in biomarker concentration between pre-TEE and post-TEE samples, and (2) a significant post-TEE biomarker concentration (> 200 μg/L for pepsin and/or > 1685 IU/L for salivary amylase). Secondary endpoints included the development of VAP within three days after TEE and the evolution of tracheal cuff pressure throughout TEE.

RESULTS

We enrolled 100 patients (35 females), with a median age of 64 (53-72) years. Of the 74 patients analyzed for biomarkers, 17 (23%) got TEE-associated microaspiration. However, overall, pepsin and salivary amylase levels were not significantly different between before and after TEE, with wide interindividual variability. VAP occurred in 19 patients (19%) within 3 days following TEE. VAP patients had a larger tracheal tube size and endured more attempts of TEE probe introduction than their counterparts but showed similar aspiration biomarker concentrations. TEE induced an increase in tracheal cuff pressure, especially during insertion and removal of the probe.

CONCLUSIONS

We could not find any association between TEE-associated microaspiration and the development of VAP during the three days following TEE in intubated critically ill patients. However, our study cannot formally rule out a role for TEE because of the high rate of VAP observed after TEE and the limitations of our methods.

Chest physiotherapy: An important adjuvant in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19

In late 2019, an outbreak of a novel human coronavirus causing respiratory disease was identified in Wuhan, China. The virus spread rapidly worldwide, reaching pandemic status. Chest computed tomography scans of patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have revealed different stages of respiratory involvement, with extremely variable lung presentations, which require individualized ventilatory strategies in those who become critically ill. Chest physiotherapy has proven to be effective for improving long-term respiratory physical function among ICU survivors. The ARIR recently reported the role of chest physiotherapy in the acute phase of COVID-19, pointing out limitation of some procedures due to the limited experience with this disease in the ICU setting. Evidence on the efficacy of chest physiotherapy in COVID-19 is still lacking. In this line, the current review discusses the important role of chest physiotherapy in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19, around the weaning process, and how it can be safely applied with careful organization, including the training of healthcare staff and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment to minimize the risk of viral exposure.

Protection procedures and preventions against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 in healthcare settings for nursing personnel: Lessons from Taiwan

Background

Since coronavirus disease 2019 was first discovered, at the time of writing this article, the number of people infected globally has exceeded 1 million. Its high transmission rate has resulted in nosocomial infections in healthcare facilities all over the world. Nursing personnel account for nearly 50% of the global health workforce and are the primary provider of direct care in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Nurses stand on the front line against the spread of this pandemic, and proper protection procedures are vital.

Objectives

The present study aims to share the procedures and measures used by Taiwan nursing personnel to help reduce global transmission.

Review methods

Compared with other regions, where large-scale epidemics have overwhelmed the health systems, Taiwan has maintained the number of confirmed cases within a manageable scope. A review of various national and international policies and guidelines was carried out to present proper procedures and preventions for nursing personnel in healthcare settings.

Results

This study shows how Taiwan's health system rapidly identified suspected cases as well as the prevention policies and strategies, key protection points for nursing personnel in implementing high-risk nursing tasks, and lessons from a nursing perspective.

Conclusions

Various world media have affirmed the rapid response and effective epidemic prevention strategies of Taiwan's health system. Educating nurses on procedures for infection control, reporting cases, and implementing protective measures to prevent nosocomial infections are critical to prevent further outbreaks.

Real-time Positioning Among Nursing Home Residents Living With Dementia: A Case Study

Dementia contributes to the development of pressure injuries (PrIs).

PURPOSE

This study describes the real-time body positions of 2 nursing home (NH) residents, residing in the United States and living with dementia, to inform development of PrI prevention strategies tailored to individual risk profiles.

METHODS

As part of a larger study, eligible residents were fitted with a triaxial accelerometer sensor placed on the anterior chest to monitor body positions 24-hours daily through a 4-week monitoring period. The current study used an observational, prospective design during routine repositioning events for 2 residents. A convenience sample of 2 residents from a single NH wing who were considered moderately at risk for PrI development (Braden Scale score 13-14) with a Brief Interview for Mental Status score in the severely impaired range were selected based on nursing staff recommendation.

RESULTS

Sensor data showed that both residents, although "chairfast" according to the Braden Scale, spent <5% in an upright position and the great majority of time reclining at an angle <50%. One (1) resident demonstrated a persistent side preference.

CONCLUSIONS

Wearable sensors are not a long-term solution for protecting those with dementia from PrI formation but do provide a crude picture of overall body positions throughout the 24-hour day that may inform individualized PrI prevention strategies. Studies including large samples of NH residents living with dementia are warranted.

Promoting the Quality of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Control in Intensive Care Units: an Action Research

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common infection in intensive care units (ICUs), with the highest mortality rate of all hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to improve the quality of VAP control in the ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Kouhdasht, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This action research was conducted during 2016-2018. The survey data of 18 participants, who were included in the study using the non-probability sampling method, were evaluated. Qualitative data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis, and descriptive indices and t-test were measured to analyze quantitative data. Finally, the qualitative and quantitative data were integrated.This research was developed and implemented in four stages, including assessment and identification of priorities for improvement, design of action plans, implementation of action plans, and reassessment. Data were collected by analyzing 540 performance observations, 55 interviews, six focused group discussions, and two steering group discussions.

RESULTS

The mean scores of VAP control before and after implementing the action plans were 259.33±21.64 and 395.16±13.90, respectively (P<0.001). The qualitative findings indicated that the low quality of the personnel's working life and poor organizational culture were the main barriers to the quality improvement of VAP control. Improvement was achieved after implementing the action plans for enhancing the nurses' quality of working life and realization of their professional identity.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggested that effective approaches, such as personnel empowerment, improvement of environmental conditions, and provision of facilities and equipment can improve the quality of VAP control in ICUs.

Intubation and Ventilation amid the COVID-19 Outbreak: Wuhan's Experience

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to 80,409 diagnosed cases and 3,012 deaths in mainland China based on the data released on March 4, 2020. Approximately 3.2% of patients with COVID-19 required intubation and invasive ventilation at some point in the disease course. Providing best practices regarding intubation and ventilation for an overwhelming number of patients with COVID-19 amid an enhanced risk of cross-infection is a daunting undertaking. The authors presented the experience of caring for the critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan. It is extremely important to follow strict self-protection precautions. Timely, but not premature, intubation is crucial to counter a progressively enlarging oxygen debt despite high-flow oxygen therapy and bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation. Thorough preparation, satisfactory preoxygenation, modified rapid sequence induction, and rapid intubation using a video laryngoscope are widely used intubation strategies in Wuhan. Lung-protective ventilation, prone position ventilation, and adequate sedation and analgesia are essential components of ventilation management.

Intubation and Ventilation amid the COVID-19 Outbreak: Wuhan's Experience

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to 80,409 diagnosed cases and 3,012 deaths in mainland China based on the data released on March 4, 2020. Approximately 3.2% of patients with COVID-19 required intubation and invasive ventilation at some point in the disease course. Providing best practices regarding intubation and ventilation for an overwhelming number of patients with COVID-19 amid an enhanced risk of cross-infection is a daunting undertaking. The authors presented the experience of caring for the critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan. It is extremely important to follow strict self-protection precautions. Timely, but not premature, intubation is crucial to counter a progressively enlarging oxygen debt despite high-flow oxygen therapy and bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation. Thorough preparation, satisfactory preoxygenation, modified rapid sequence induction, and rapid intubation using a video laryngoscope are widely used intubation strategies in Wuhan. Lung-protective ventilation, prone position ventilation, and adequate sedation and analgesia are essential components of ventilation management.

Evaluation of prevention of ventilator-associated infections in four Australian intensive care units

Background

Effective approaches to practice improvement require development of tailored interventions in collaboration with knowledge users.

Objectives

To explore critical care nurses' knowledge and adherence to best practice guidelines for management of patients with an artificial airway to minimise development of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken across four intensive care units that involved three phases: (1) survey of critical care nurses regarding their current practice; (2) observation of respiratory care delivery; and (3) chart audit. Key care processes evaluated were: (1) technique and adherence to standard precautions when performing endotracheal suction, cuff pressure checks and extubation; and (2) frequency of endotracheal suctioning and mouth care.

Results

Observational and chart audit data on the provision and documentation of respiratory care were collected for 36 nurse/patient dyads. Forty-six nurses were surveyed and the majority responded that endotracheal suctioning and mouth care should be performed 'as required' or every 2 hours (h). During observations of practice, no patient received mouth care every 2 h, nor had documentation of such. Inconsistent adherence to standard precautions and hand hygiene during respiratory care provision was observed. Chart audit indicated that nurses varied in the frequency of suctioning consistent with documented clinical assessment findings.

Conclusion

Although nurses had good knowledge for the management of artificial airways, this was not consistently translated into practice. Gaps were identified in relation to respiratory related infection prevention, the prevention of micro-aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions and in the provision of mouth care.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with cerebral hemorrhage: Impact on mortality and microbiological characterization

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major complication among critically ill patients who depend on mechanical ventilation. Few reports have focused on intracerebral hemorrhage patients with VAP. Our main objective was to investigate the bacteria distribution characteristics and the impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia mortality in critical cerebral hemorrhage patients. This retrospective study included 89 cases of cerebral hemorrhage patients with VAP admitted to the ICU of Huashan Hospital. We used the chi-square test to compare qualitative variables and Student's t-test to compare means between groups of normally distributed quantitative variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess mortality-independent predictors in the ICU. A total of 42% patients with cerebral hemorrhage were diagnosed with VAP in the ICU during the study period, and the mortality rate was 18%. Acinetobacter baumannii (n=58), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=52), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=21) were the most common pathogenic bacteria. Blood volume >30ml, tracheal ventilation mode and head of bed elevation were independent factors associated with increased mortality. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and the time from bleeding to intubation were other potentially important factors. While the number of infecting bacteria may not be directly related to death, it can increase antibiotic consumption and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stays. Blood volume >30ml, tracheal ventilation mode and head of bed elevation were directly related to the death of critical cerebral hemorrhage patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults: a narrative review

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent ICU-acquired infections. Reported incidences vary widely from 5 to 40% depending on the setting and diagnostic criteria. VAP is associated with prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. The estimated attributable mortality of VAP is around 10%, with higher mortality rates in surgical ICU patients and in patients with mid-range severity scores at admission. Microbiological confirmation of infection is strongly encouraged. Which sampling method to use is still a matter of controversy. Emerging microbiological tools will likely modify our routine approach to diagnosing and treating VAP in the next future. Prevention of VAP is based on minimizing the exposure to mechanical ventilation and encouraging early liberation. Bundles that combine multiple prevention strategies may improve outcomes, but large randomized trials are needed to confirm this. Treatment should be limited to 7 days in the vast majority of the cases. Patients should be reassessed daily to confirm ongoing suspicion of disease, antibiotics should be narrowed as soon as antibiotic susceptibility results are available, and clinicians should consider stopping antibiotics if cultures are negative.

Using flexible methods to determine risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in the Netherlands

Seven hospitals participated in the Dutch national surveillance for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and its risk factors. We analysed time-independent and time-dependent risk factors for VAP using the standard Cox regression and the flexible Weighted Cumulative Effects method (WCE) that evaluates both current and past exposures. The prospective surveillance of intensive care patients aged ≥16 years and ventilated ≥48 hours resulted in the inclusion of 940 primary ventilation periods, comprising 7872 ventilation days. The average VAP incidence density was 10.3/1000 ventilation days. Independent risk factors were age (16–40 years at increased risk: HR 2.42 95% confidence interval 1.07–5.50), COPD (HR 0.19 [0.04–0.78]), current sedation score (higher scores at increased risk), current selective oropharyngeal decontamination (HR 0.19 [0.04–0.91]), jet nebulizer (WCE, decreased risk), intravenous antibiotics for selective decontamination of the digestive tract (ivSDD, WCE, decreased risk), and intravenous antibiotics not for SDD (WCE, decreased risk). The protective effect of ivSDD was afforded for 24 days with a delay of 3 days. For some time-dependent variables, the WCE model was preferable over standard Cox proportional hazard regression. The WCE method can furthermore increase insight into the active time frame and possible delay herein of a time-dependent risk factor.

Complications and Pharmacologic Interventions of Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation During Critical Illness

Objective: To review the fundamentals of invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) and the common complications and associated pharmacotherapeutic management in order to provide opportunities for pharmacists to improve patient outcomes. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search (1950-December 2017) was performed using the key search terms invasive positive pressure ventilation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacist, respiratory failure, ventilator associated organ dysfunction, ventilator associated pneumonia, ventilator bundles, and ventilator liberation. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language original research and review reports were evaluated. Data Synthesis: IPPV is a common supportive care measure for critically ill patients. While lifesaving, IPPV is associated with significant complications including ventilator-associated pneumonia, sinusitis, organ dysfunction, and hemodynamic alterations. Optimization of pain and sedation management provides an opportunity for pharmacists to directly affect IPPV exposure. A number of pharmacotherapeutic interventions are related directly to prophylaxis against IPPV-associated adverse events or aimed at reduction of duration of IPPV. Conclusions: Enhanced knowledge of the common complications, associated pharmacotherapy, and monitoring strategies facilitate the pharmacist's ability to provide increased pharmacotherapeutic insight in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit setting.

What are the optimum components in a care bundle aimed at reducing post-operative pulmonary complications in high-risk patients?

Background

Post-operative pulmonary complications (POPC) are common, predictable and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, independent of pre-operative risk. Interventions to reduce the incidence of POPC have been studied individually, but the use of a care bundle has not been widely investigated. The purpose of our work was to use Delphi consensus methodology and an independently chosen expert panel to formulate a care bundle for patients identified as being at high of POPC, as preparation towards an evaluation of its effectiveness at reducing POPC.

Methods

We performed a survey of members of the ESICM POIC section to inform a Delphi consensus and to share their opinions on a care bundle to reduce POPC, the POPC-CB. We formed a team of 36 experts to participate in and complete an email-based Delphi consensus over three rounds, leading to the formulation of the POPC-CB.

Results

The survey had 362 respondents and informed the design of the Delphi consensus. The Delphi consensus resulted in a proposed POPC-CB that incorporates components before surgery-supervised exercise programmes and inspiratory muscle training, during surgery, low tidal volume ventilation with individualised PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure), use of routine monitoring to avoid hyperoxia and efforts made to limit neuromuscular blockade, and post-operatively, deep breathing exercises and elevation of the head of the bed.

Conclusion

A care bundle has been suggested for evaluation in surgical patients at high risk of POPC. Evaluation of feasibility of both implementation and effectiveness is now indicated.

Upper esophageal sphincter augmentation reduces pharyngeal reflux in nasogastric tube-fed patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Aspiration of gastric refluxate is one of the most commonly observed complications among long-term nasogastric tube (NGT) fed patients. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure barrier is the main defense mechanism against pharyngeal reflux of gastric contents. Our objective was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the UES assist device (UES-AD) in preventing gastric reflux through the UES in long-term NGT-fed patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Self-Controlled Case series.

METHODS

We studied 10 patients (mean age = 90.6 ± 3.4 years, four females) with dysphagia caused by stroke or dementia who were fed for 0.5 to 5 years (median = 3 years) by NGT. External pressures of 20 to 30 mm Hg were applied by using a handmade UES-AD, which was started 2 hours after the beginning of NGT infusion and was alternated between periods of 2 hours on and 2 hours off, for a total of 12 hours. Placement of the impedance sensors within the UES was guided by high-resolution manometry. Trans-UES and intraesophageal reflux events were recorded by using 24-hour combined pH-impedance measurements.

RESULTS

No aspiration pneumonia events were noted in the period 1 month before or during the study in any of the cohort. Baseline UES pressure averaged 17.5 ± 9.4 mm Hg and was increased to 38.9 ± 11.9mm Hg after application of the UES-AD. Overall frequency of trans-UES reflux decreased significantly with the UES-AD compared to without (0.8 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 2.8, P < .05 for the 12-hour study period). There was no effect of the UES-AD on esophageal reflux events (7.4 ± 4.4 vs. 6.4 ± 3.0, P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

UES-AD significantly decreases the number of trans-UES reflux events and can potentially reduce the aspiration risk associated with NGT feeding.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1310-1315, 2018.

Randomized, multicenter trial of lateral Trendelenburg versus semirecumbent body position for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia

PURPOSE

The lateral Trendelenburg position (LTP) may hinder the primary pathophysiologic mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We investigated whether placing patients in the LTP would reduce the incidence of VAP in comparison with the semirecumbent position (SRP).

METHODS

This was a randomized, multicenter, controlled study in invasively ventilated critically ill patients. Two preplanned interim analyses were performed. Patients were randomized to be placed in the LTP or the SRP. The primary outcome, assessed by intention-to-treat analysis, was incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP. Major secondary outcomes included mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit length of stay.

RESULTS

At the second interim analysis, the trial was stopped because of low incidence of VAP, lack of benefit in secondary outcomes, and occurrence of adverse events. A total of 194 patients in the LTP group and 201 in the SRP group were included in the final intention-to-treat analysis. The incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP was 0.5% (1/194) and 4.0% (8/201) in LTP and SRP patients, respectively (relative risk 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-1.03, p = 0.04). The 28-day mortality was 30.9% (60/194) and 26.4% (53/201) in LTP and SRP patients, respectively (relative risk 1.17, 95% CI 0.86-1.60, p = 0.32). Likewise, no differences were found in other secondary outcomes. Six serious adverse events were described in LTP patients (p = 0.01 vs. SRP).

CONCLUSIONS

The LTP slightly decreased the incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP. Nevertheless, given the early termination of the trial, the low incidence of VAP, and the adverse events associated with the LTP, the study failed to prove any significant benefit. Further clinical investigation is strongly warranted; however, at this time, the LTP cannot be recommended as a VAP preventive measure. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT01138540.

Zinc Supplementation in Adult Mechanically Ventilated Trauma Patients is Associated with Decreased Occurrence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective, Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of lung infection that typically affects critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of this analysis is to determine potential association between zinc supplementation with the occurrence of VAP in adult mechanically ventilated trauma patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This secondary analysis of a prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 1 year in ICUs of one teaching hospital in Iran. A total of 186 adults mechanically ventilated trauma patients, who required at least 48 h of MV and received zinc sulfate supplement (n = 82) or not (n = 104) during their ICU stay, were monitored for the occurrence of VAP until their discharge from the ICU or death.

RESULTS

Forty-one of 186 patients developed VAP, 29.09 days after admission (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.27-31.9). The overall incidence of VAP was 18.82 cases per 1000 days of intubation (95% CI: 13.86-25.57). Patients who received zinc sulfate supplement have smaller hazard of progression to VAP than others (hazard ratio: 0.318 [95% CI: 0.138-0.732]; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The findings show that zinc supplementation may be associated with a significant reduction in the occurrence of VAP in adult mechanically ventilated trauma patients. Further well-designed randomized clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of this potential preventive modality are warranted.

Patient Safety: Identifying and Managing Complications of Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is a fundamental aspect of critical care practice to help meet the respiratory needs of critically ill patients. Complications can occur though, as a direct result of being mechanically ventilated, or indirectly because of a secondary process. Preventing, identifying, and managing these complications significantly contribute to the role and responsibilities of critical care nurses in promoting patient safety. This article reviews common ventilator-associated events, including both infectious (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia) and noninfectious causes (eg, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, and atelectasis).