Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Overview

HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA (HAP), which includes ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), is a well-documented hospital complication that’s diagnosed when patients demonstrate signs and symptoms of pneumonia 48 or more hours after hospital admission; VAP is diagnosed when signs and symptoms of pneumonia appear 48 hours after intubation.

HAP, an inflammatory condition of the lung parenchyma, has the highest mortality rate of any hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in the United States. VAP comprises about 38% of HAP cases; NVHAP is underreported as a hospital complication.

Key Learning Outcomes

1. Identify risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).
2. Discuss bundled strategies for preventing HAP.

Presented by: 

Carolyn D. Meehan, PhD, RN, and Catherine McKenna, MSN, RN
The authors work at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Carolyn D. Meehan is an associate professor of nursing and prelicensure program coordinator. Catherine McKenna is a clinical skills lab coordinator.