Lessons learned from a rapid implementation of a ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle

Identifying the barriers and facilitators to implementation of ventilator bundle in the nepalese intensive care unit: A descriptive qualitative study

BACKGROUND

A ventilator bundle is an effective preventive strategy against the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, in clinical practice ventilator bundle implementation is poor. Understanding the barriers to ventilator bundle implementation in low- and middle-income countries can inform the development of effective implementation strategies to reduce the burden of VAP.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of ventilator bundle implementation perceived by healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in intensive care units (ICU) in Nepal. The secondary objective was to prioritise the barriers when developing implementation strategies.

METHODS

This study used a pragmatic approach comprising a series of methods to identify the implementation strategies: (i) Barriers and facilitators were explored using a qualitative study design. Twenty-one HCPs selected using the maximum variation sampling technique from a large tertiary hospital, completed semistructured interviews. All the interviews were recorded, transcribed word-by-word, and uploaded into NVivo for analysis using the thematic analysis approach. (ii) After analysis, nine participants were selecteded to determine the priority order of the barriers using a barrier identification and mitigation tool.

RESULTS

The data analysis revealed five main themes and 19 subthemes that affected ventilator bundle implementation. The main themes were provider-related factors, organisational and practice-related factors, performances of work, environmental conditions, and patient-related factors. The common barriers were job insecurity, poor knowledge, negative attitude, insufficient equipment, and severity of patient disease. Common facilitators were educational training, equipment functioning, adequate staff, strong leadership, and organisational support. Finally, eight main barriers were prioritised to target the change.

CONCLUSION

The barriers to implementing ventilator bundles in ICUs were identified. Focussing on addressing the prioritised barriers may aid in improving patient care and safety in ICUs. Results may guide HCPs in the development of implementation strategies to reduce the burden of VAP.

Multifaceted interventions are likely to be more effective to increase adherence to the ventilator care bundle: A systematic review of strategies to improve care bundle compliance

BACKGROUND

The implementation of ventilator care bundles has remained suboptimal. However, it is unclear whether improving adherence has a positive relationship with patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the most effective implementation strategies to improve adherence to ventilator bundles and to investigate the relationship between adherence to ventilator bundles and patient outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search from the inception of ventilator care bundles 2001 to January 2021 of relevant databases, screening and data extraction according to Cochrane methodology.

RESULTS

In total, 6035 records were screened, and 24 studies met the eligibility criteria. The implementation strategies were provider-level interventions (n = 15), included educational activities, checklist, and audit/feedback. Organizational-level interventions include (n = 8) included change of medical record system and multidisciplinary team. System-level intervention (n = 1) had motivation and reward. The most common strategies were education, checklists, audit feedback, which are probably effective in improving adherence. We could not perform a meta-analysis due to heterogeneity of the strategies and types of adherence measurement. Most studies (n = 7) had a high risk of bias. There were some conflicting results in determining the associations between adherence and patient outcomes because of the poor quality of the studies.

CONCLUSION

Multifaceted interventions are likely to be effective for consistent improvement in adherence. It remains uncertain whether improvements in adherence have positive outcomes on patients due to limited evidence of low to moderate uncertainty. We recommend the need for robust research methodology to assess the effectiveness of implementation strategies on improving adherence and patient outcomes.

Use of Care Bundles to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Intensive Care Units: Nurses' Views

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the views of nurses working in intensive care units regarding the use of care bundles in preventing healthcare-associated infections. Methods: This study used the focus-group interview method, which is one of the qualitative methods. Two focus-group interviews, each lasting about half an hour, were conducted with 14 intensive care unit nurses. Qualitative data obtained from the interviews were recorded on tape and in note form. The interviews were then transcribed and analyzed. The transcribed data from the focus-group discussions were grouped by theme and concept, and the statements of the participants were coded numerically according to these groupings. Three themes and six subthemes emerged in analyzing the qualitative data. Results: The nurses defined care bundles as "materials that provide integrated care for patients". They also stated that their benefits included providing a tool for self-monitoring, support and guidance for both patients and nurses. When whether they had experienced any difficulties while using care bundles, they stated that they had not experienced any. Furthermore, nurses stated that care bundles improved their perspectives, and that they were must-have items in intensive care units providing reminders rather than a waste of time. Conclusion: It is that the participation of nurses is important so that care bundles are used more widespread in order to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units.

Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update

The purpose of this document is to highlight practical recommendations to assist acute care hospitals to prioritize and implement strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), ventilator-associated events (VAE), and non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) in adults, children, and neonates. This document updates the Strategies to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Acute Care Hospitals published in 2014. This expert guidance document is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology (SHEA), and is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Hospital Association, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise.

Exploring the Nursing Factors Related to Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the key nursing factors associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critical care patients.

Methods

Through the quality control platform of Hebei Province, questionnaires were sent to intensive care nurses in 32 tertiary hospitals in Hebei Province, China to collect data concerning the incidence of VAP and the status of the nursing staff. All the data were analyzed using an independent t-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyse the correlation between the nursing factors and the incidence of VAP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors affecting VAP.

Results

In terms of nursing, the incidence of VAP was affected by the differential nursing strategies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the incidence of VAP was significantly associated with the following six variables: the ratio of nurses to beds (p = 0.000), the ratio of nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher (p = 0.000), the ratio of specialist nurses (p = 0.000), the proportion of nurses with work experience of 5–10 years (p = 0.04), the number of patients nurses were responsible for at night (p = 0.01) and the frequency of oral care (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

The incidence of VAP is closely related to nursing factors. In terms of nursing human resources, even junior nurses (less experienced nurses) can play an essential role in reducing VAP. In addition, to reduce VAP, the number of patients that nurses are responsible for at night should be reduced as much as possible, and improving nursing qualifications.

Healthcare professional views on barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice in prevention of ventilator-associated events: A qualitative descriptive study

OBJECTIVE

To explore health professional views of barriers to the use of evidence-based practice to prevent ventilator-associated events in intensive care units.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with nurses and doctors with more than six months experience caring for mechanically ventilated patients.

SETTING

The study was conducted in two intensive care units, in large metropolitan health services in Victoria, Australia.

METHODS

Individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 20 participants (16 nurses and 4 doctors) in 2019. Purposive sampling method was used until data saturation was reached. The interviews were held at the hospital in a private room away from their place of employment. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Four major themes were inductively identified from nine subthemes: i) prioritising specific situations, ii) inadequate use of evidence to underpin practice, iii) perception of inadequate staffing and equipment and, iv) inadequate training and knowledge of evidence-based guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

These themes helped to explain previously reported deficits in nurses' knowledge of and adherence to evidence-based practice in intensive care. Findings suggest the need for a well-established policy to underpin practice. The barriers faced by nurses and doctors in preventing ventilator associated events need to be addressed to optimise quality of patient care in intensive care units.

Evaluation of prevention of ventilator-associated infections in four Australian intensive care units

Background

Effective approaches to practice improvement require development of tailored interventions in collaboration with knowledge users.

Objectives

To explore critical care nurses' knowledge and adherence to best practice guidelines for management of patients with an artificial airway to minimise development of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken across four intensive care units that involved three phases: (1) survey of critical care nurses regarding their current practice; (2) observation of respiratory care delivery; and (3) chart audit. Key care processes evaluated were: (1) technique and adherence to standard precautions when performing endotracheal suction, cuff pressure checks and extubation; and (2) frequency of endotracheal suctioning and mouth care.

Results

Observational and chart audit data on the provision and documentation of respiratory care were collected for 36 nurse/patient dyads. Forty-six nurses were surveyed and the majority responded that endotracheal suctioning and mouth care should be performed 'as required' or every 2 hours (h). During observations of practice, no patient received mouth care every 2 h, nor had documentation of such. Inconsistent adherence to standard precautions and hand hygiene during respiratory care provision was observed. Chart audit indicated that nurses varied in the frequency of suctioning consistent with documented clinical assessment findings.

Conclusion

Although nurses had good knowledge for the management of artificial airways, this was not consistently translated into practice. Gaps were identified in relation to respiratory related infection prevention, the prevention of micro-aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions and in the provision of mouth care.