Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Nurse role in the prevention of VAP in the ventilated patient in intensive care |
|---|---|
| Name | Riccò Francesca |
| Supervisor(s) | Nava Letizia |
| Academic Year | 2016/17 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
The endotracheal intubation and the mechanical ventilation are life-saving measures for critical patients, however, such interventions increases the risk of respiratory infection and in particular of pneumonia associated to the mechanical ventilation (VAP). VAP is one of the pathology with major incidence among intensive care unit patients, which worsens their clinical conditions, has a high mortality rate and prolonged hospitalisation. The nursing care of these patients deals with a lot of their needs, many of them unexpressed and implied such as anxiety, fear of death or life threatening and loneliness. The aim of this work is to focus the attention on prevention and reduction of the risk factors through the nurse’s emancipation. It covers nursing specific interventions that, if implemented correctly, have demonstrated their effectiveness in VAP prevention and they are: hand washing, oral hygiene, endotracheal secretions’ suction, patient positioning, humidification system and ventilator control management.
The reference materials’ analysis has showed the crucial role of the nurse in VAP prevention, not only as operator and as collaborator of the medical staff, but above all as trained professional in charge of the patient’s care. The nurse is the closest person to the patient and has to pay attention to his/her needs, provide appropriate assistance and apply the preventive measures in the most effective way.