Why is it important to prevent pneumonia in the hospital?

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, so when infected, there is a risk of many complications and high mortality. In particular, patients who have to stay in the hospital for a long time, have weakened resistance, are at higher risk of infection and more dangerous complications. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia in these patients.

Nosocomial pneumonia is defined as pneumonia occurring 48 hours or more after admission, not in the incubation period or infected at the time of admission.
Nosocomial pneumonia is a common medical care-associated infection in the clinical department, which is a matter of great concern to hospital departments because it increases the risk of mortality. increase the treatment time and cost the patient economically. In particular, the intensive care unit has many critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, so the rate of hospital-acquired pneumonia in this department is very high, which is difficult to diagnose, treat and prevent compared to other departments.
Nosocomial pneumonia can be caused by many different bacteria and the rate of these bacteria varies from hospital to hospital, usually aerobic Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, E coli, Providencia spp, some Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia also accounted for a high proportion. These bacteria are often multi-resistant to antibiotics, making treatment difficult.
It has been found that the causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia that appear early (less than 4 days after admission) are often caused by microorganisms less resistant to antibiotics, but if present later, they are often caused by multi-organisms. drug resistance.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the lungs through many different ways and routes such as:
From secretions from the oropharynx to the lungs or from reflux of gastric juice. Contagion from respiratory support equipment or contaminated hands of healthcare workers. Blood and lymphatic lines are caused by other infections. Respiratory support devices such as oxygen humidifiers, nebulizers, bronchoscopes, spirometers, anesthetic tools are reservoirs of bacteria, which can be from the instrument to the patient, from the patient. from one patient to another, from one part of the body to the lower respiratory tract of the same patient, through the hand or through the device.

Why is the problem of hospital pneumonia so concerned and this is a worrying thing in the hospital environment. Because this condition can cause many dangerous complications and often occurs in subjects with weakened immune systems such as the elderly, severe underlying diseases, children...
Nosocomial pneumonia although present More and more effective antibiotics are now available, but even so, the mortality rate is still high. Some complications of hospital-acquired pneumonia can cause as follows:
This is the leading cause of death, accounting for 30 - 70% of all hospital infections. Patients are at risk of acquiring multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially late-onset pneumonia or those who have taken antibiotics for 3 months before. Since then, making it difficult to choose a treatment drug, the risk of death increases. Increase the length of hospital stay, increase the cost of treatment for the patient. Thus, a patient being treated at the hospital but unfortunately contracting pneumonia at the hospital will make the patient face a high risk of death, the treatment becomes much more difficult. Therefore, preventive measures are very necessary to limit the risk of disease, thereby helping to treat the underlying disease more effectively, avoiding the risk of death, and saving money and time on treatment.

Most sources of bacterial transmission can be controlled if hospital infection prevention regulations are strictly followed. Respiratory support devices such as oxygen humidifiers, nebulizers, bronchoscopes, spirometers, anesthesia equipment can all be reservoirs of bacteria, ranging from the instrument to the patient, from one patient to another, from one part of the body to the lower respiratory tract of the same patient, through the hand or through the instrument. Therefore, to prevent pneumonia, the hospital can take measures such as:
Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with the patient as well as any respiratory equipment being used for the patient with soap or sanitizer. Clean patient's mouth with sterile gauze every 2 to 4 hours with disinfectant solution or physiological saline.

Remove the endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube, gastric tube, and at the same time consider stopping the use of the ventilator for the patient as soon as possible when the patient can breathe and eat on his own. Have the patient lie with the head elevated at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees if there are no contraindications. Disposable respiratory care equipment should be used, or high-level sterilization or disinfection is required for re-usable patient equipment. Should regularly check and pour the amount of residual water in the ventilator tube, the water trap for the patient. The breathing tube should be positioned lower than the upper part of the endotracheal tube. Prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia by regularly checking for stomach stasis before feeding the patient through a tube. It is necessary to coordinate with other specialties in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. Instructions for vibrating to limit fluid stagnation in the respiratory tract causing infection. Post regular notices reminding about the prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the wards. Measures to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia are believed to be the best measures to reduce the risk of death from hospital-acquired infections in general and hospital-acquired pneumonia in particular. Actively prevent from the patient's own consciousness as well as the working style of medical staff to help lighten the burden in disease treatment.