Keywords
Respiratory Tract Infections
Intensive Care Unit
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: to analyze the magnitude of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the associated outcomes in settings that adopt structured prevention strategies. Method: retrospective cohort study conducted in a high-complexity university hospital located in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Adult patients of both sexes admitted to the intensive care unit between 2022 and 2024 were included, with VAP diagnosis confirmed by the hospital infection control committee. Data were obtained from this committee’s managerial reports. The study was approved by the research ethics committee (CAAE 82069124.0.0000.5327/2024). Results: during the analyzed period, 4,206 patients underwent mechanical ventilation, of whom 57 (1.36%) developed VAP. Mortality among these patients was 59.6%, with higher frequency among individuals older than 58 years and those with prolonged use of vasoactive drugs. Conclusion: the low incidence observed is compatible with the adoption of institutional prevention strategies. However, the high mortality in the context of a potentially preventable infection highlights the clinical complexity of critically ill patients and reinforces the need for continuous surveillance, sustained adherence to best care practices, and strengthening of the safety culture in intensive care.
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