Researchers examined the effectiveness of practice bundles on reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in a recent study published in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
The study involved implementing a comprehensive program and real-time bundle compliance dashboard at an academic medical center to improve compliance and reduce ventilator-associated complications. The researchers then assessed the program's effect in six adult intensive care units.
Following the implementation of the program:
1. VAP rates in all ICUs combined decreased from 19.5 to 9.2 VAPs per 1,000 ventilator-days
2. Bundle compliance increased from 23 percent in August 2007 to 83 percent in June 2011
3. The overall ICU VAP rate saw a significant month to month decrease of 3.28/1,000 ventilator-days
4. The VAP rate decreased significantly at a rate of 0.20/1,000 ventilator-days per month; and
5. Among all adult ICUs combined, improved bundle compliance was moderately correlated with monthly VAP rate reductions
Ultimately, the prevention program that included a compliance dashboard was associated with considerable sustained decreases in VAP rates and an increase in bundle compliance among adult ICU patients.
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