Incidence and diagnosis of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis in the intensive care unit: an international online survey.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Several aspects of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT)-including diagnostic criteria, overlap with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and appropriate treatment regimens-remain poorly defined. The objectives of this study were to survey reported practices in the clinical and microbiological diagnosis of VAT and to evaluate perceptions of the impact of VAT on patient outcomes.

Methods

We developed a questionnaire consisting of (a) characteristics of the respondent, the ICU, and hospital; (b) current clinical and microbiological diagnostic approach; (c) empirical antibiotic therapy; and (d) the perception of physicians regarding the clinical impact of VAT and its implications.

Results

A total of 288 ICUs from 16 different countries answered the

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4057509 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature