Chlorhexidine: The Fight to End Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

There is a major problem that affects patient outcomes in the hospital setting. This problem is ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the second most nosocomial infection in critical care patients. A new policy is needed to ensure that interventions are being done to decrease the risk of patients getting ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia also has a high risk of mortality. If interventions are being done, the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality will decrease. Prophylactic oral care with chlorhexidine solution is show through evidence to decrease the risk of both ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality rates. The use of ventilator bundles are also beneficial to decrease the risk of mortality and ventilator-associated pneumonia. With a policy that includes both chlorhexidine oral solution and ventilator bundles, there will be a great decrease in the amount of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia and a decrease in mortality rates.