Ventilator associated pneumonia is a form or type of hospital acquired pneumonia and this condition occurs in individuals who take assistance of mechanical ventilation with a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube for a period of at least 48 hours. This condition occurs due to infection that floods the air filled sacs called alveoli within the lungs. These sacs are required to absorb oxygen through the atmosphere. Different types of organisms are responsible for this condition and the treatment for this condition also distinguishes it from other forms of pneumonia.

The methods for diagnosis of this pneumonia, the prognosis and preventive measures for this condition are also different. Pseudomonas is the organism most often associated with pneumonia caused in the hospital and this can be irrespective of whether the patient is in hospital or not. However patients having ventilator associated pneumonia are particularly attached to the ventilator. Community acquired pneumonia is caused by organisms like S. pneumoniae, S. Aureus and H. Influenzae.

Those individuals who are attached to mechanical ventilation are quite often sedated and many of the symptoms associated with pneumonia are present. The symptoms in ventilator associated pneumonia include fever, purulent sputum, less oxygen in blood etc. The diagnosis of this condition can be done through observation of the symptoms and some tests.

Ventilator associated pneumonia can be detected in patients using mechanical ventilation and having symptoms of pneumonia. Blood test will reveal increasing number of white blood cells and new shadows will also be identified through chest X-ray. The microorganisms causing VAP may also be identified through blood cultures. The diagnosis may be done using two strategies. In one form of diagnosis culture can be collected from the trachea of those individuals displaying symptoms of this condition and enlarging infiltrate on the chest X-ray may also be done. In the other strategy bronchoscopy may be done along with enlarging infiltrate on the chest X-ray.

Ventilator acquired pneumonia tends to occur when the tracheostomy or endotracheal tube allows bacteria free passage into the lower parts of the lung. Deep suctioning can also cause the bacteria to be brought into the lungs. Once the bacteria gain entry into the lungs they take advantage of the immune system and start multiplying.

The specific bacteria causing ventilator acquired pneumonia include pseudomonas aeruginosa, klebseialla pneumoniae, serratia marcescens, enterobacter, citobacter, acintobacter and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria among others. Treatment for this condition should be followed based on identification of the causative bacteria that are responsible for this condition. When this condition is first suspected the bacteria responsible may not be immediately known and in that case a broad spectrum of antibiotics may be prescribed.

Possible medicines that may be prescribed for ventilator associated pneumonia include ciprofloxacin, cefepime, vancomycin, uredopenicillin and carbapenem among others. The therapy is normally changed after the causative bacteria are identified and this is continued till the time the symptoms are resolved. This condition can be prevented by ensuring patients have limited exposure to the resistant bacteria and also by ensuring that mechanical ventilation is not continued for too long.

Using sterile techniques for all invasive procedures and washing hands along with isolation of people having resistant organisms is essential for control of the infection. Rising of the bed to around 30 degrees and placement of feeding tubes beyond pylorus of the patient’s stomach are crucial. Using antiseptic mouth washes can also reduce the possibility of developing ventilator associated pneumonia.