الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Critically ill patients are at high risk for infections associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. The overall infection rate in critically ill patients approaches 40% and may be as high as 50% or 60% in patients who remain in the ICU for more than 5 days. Respiratory tract infections account for 30% to 60% of all such infections. The incidence of pneumonia acquired in the ICU ranges from 10% to 65%. Ventilator- associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients’ ranges from 9% to 70 %.¬ Care of the critically ill should be directed at applying interventions that reduce mortality, minimize morbidity, shorten the length of stay, and reduce cost.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia refers to an infection that develops during mechanical ventilation after 48 hours of intubation. Ventilator-associated pneumonia develops when inculcation of microorganisms occur. Microorganisms may reach the distal airway after aspiration of colonized materials with pathogenic microorganisms from the oropharynx and/or gastric content. Risk factors for VAP include patient related conditions, conditions that favor colonization and bronchoaspiration, cross-infection, respiratory therapy equipment, invasive devices, misuse of antibiotics, H2 blockers, steroids and endotracheal suction.