Oropharyngeal Aspiration to Reduce Ventilator-Related Pneumonia

The Effect of Oropharyngeal Aspiration Before Position Change on Reducing the Incidence of Ventilator-Related Pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the healthcare-related infections that is common in critically ill patients, prolongs hospital stay, significantly increases mortality and additional health care costs.

Microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions the primary pathway in the formation of VAP has led researchers to focus on the detection of applications to prevent microbial colonization. Continuous or intermittent oropharyngeal aspiration, open system aspiration versus closed system aspiration, extensive oral care, oropharyngeal aspiration prior to patient positioning are some of these applications.

When the patient is turned to position, the outbreak accumulated in the oral cavity is more likely to move to the lower respiratory tract. In this study, it is assumed that aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions prior to each position change will reduce the accumulation of oral secretion in the endotracheal tube cuff and reduce aspiration of contaminated secretion and reduce the risk of developing VIP. This randomized controlled experimental study was planned to confirm the validity of this assumption.

This study was a randomized controlled experimental study designed to investigate the effect of oropharyngeal aspiration on decreasing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The research was conducted between July 2015 and April 2019 in anesthesiology and reanimation intensive care unit. The study was carried out with 20 patients who underwent oropharyngeal aspiration as needed and 20 patients with oropharyngeal aspiration prior to each change of position.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Over 18 years of age,
• Supported mechanical ventilation by endotracheal tube,
• ≥ 24 hours remaining connected to mechanical ventilator,
• Position can be changed every 2 hours during the day and 4 hours at night,
• Patients whose relatives were approved to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pneumonia develops prior to mechanical ventilation support or within the first 48 hours following mechanical ventilation support,
• Positive sputum culture was taken before mechanical ventilation support or within the first 48 hours following mechanical ventilation support,
• Patients with diabetes mellitus,
• Patients with contraindications for routine change of position