The respiratory therapist’s role in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction. Respiratory therapists play an important role in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, this disease is the most common hospital infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the leading cause of death. Objective: Describe the role of the respiratory therapist in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Materials and methods: This article was carried out under the parameters of the documentary review, descriptive, monographic level. The technique applied was the bibliographic filing and the systematic analysis of the documents found on the web. Results: Thanks to the review, analysis and synthesis of the bibliography, it was obtained as a result that hand hygiene, added to specific non-pharmacological prevention measures, such as elevation of the head, pressure management of the pneumotamponade, cleaning of the oral cavity , aspiration and management of secretions, as well as strategies to preserve comprehensive nutrition, are simple measures with good results in the prevention of VAP. Conclusions: The role of the respiratory therapist in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia is to comply with non-pharmacological treatment for the well-being of the patient. These actions range from accompaniment to adequate hand washing before and after care.