Subglottic Secretion Drainage And Semi-Recumbent Position For Preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Background: To reduce the incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the mechanical ventilation patients has become an immediate area of research focus in the critical care medicine. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of subglottic secretion drainage combined with semi-recumbent position in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: Patients admitted to our ICU were randomly assigned to groups of semi-recumbent position (n= 40), subglottic secretion drainage (n= 39), subglottic secretion drainage combined with semi-recumbent position (n= 43) and group of control (n= 42). Three experimental groups receive additional intervention of semi-recumbent position or/and subglottic secretion drainage respectively. These groups were compared with respect to incidence and mortality of VAP, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay. Results: Incidence of VAP is reduced to all the 3 experimental groups. The combined group has a lower incidence of VAP than that in the other 2 experimental groups. However, the mortality of VAP is not significantly different among groups. Discussion: Combination of subglottic secretion drainage and semi-recumbent position can reduce the incidence of VAP and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation.