Ventilator-associated pneumonia: prevention by the nursing team in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and a significant increase in hospital costs. In this context, the role of the nursing team assumes strategic centrality, considering their continuous presence at the bedside and their responsibility in the execution and monitoring of preventive measures. This study aims to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding VAP prevention practices, with an emphasis on intensive care nursing care. This is an integrative literature review, searching national and international databases, prioritizing recent publications that address evidence-based preventive interventions. The findings indicate that the systematic implementation of preventive bundles, including head-of-bed elevation, oral hygiene with antiseptics, adequate suctioning of secretions, rigorous cuff pressure control, daily interruption of sedation when clinically indicated, and ventilator weaning protocols, significantly reduces the incidence of VAP. It is also evident that the nursing team's adherence to institutional protocols, combined with continuous training and a patient safety culture, is a determining factor for the effectiveness of preventive measures. It is concluded that the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) depends on a multidisciplinary approach, but intensive care nursing plays a leading role in operationalizing evidence-based strategies, contributing directly to the safety and quality of critical care.