Effects of Raising the Head of the Bed on Reducing Ventilator-acquired Research Paper

Effects of Raising the Head of the Bed on Reducing Ventilator-acquired Pneumonia - Research Paper Example From this discussion it is clear that some of the problems associated with VAP include; lengthy hospitalization, increased mortality rate ranging from 20%-70% ,depending on the patients’ medical condition, rise in hospital cost of health care ranging from $5,880 to over $20000 for every incidence. VAP makes up to half of all cases of nosocomial pneumonia incidents with nearly 50% of all antimicrobial agents administered in ICU for treating VAP. Studies show that manipulating the patient’s position by raising head of bed plays a crucial role in preventing VAP. Besides helping the intubated patient to assume certain positions of comfort, elevating the head of bed plays the modest role in lowering risk of ventilator –acquired pneumonia. This essay declares that raising head of bed is seen as the cheapest preventive measure for VAP that must be adopted in ICU and any other hospital unit nursing intubated patients that require a long hospital stay to recover. It is le ss costly to employ such type of preventive measure than to wait for the infection to occur then treat it. Critically ill patients have compromised respiratory function; hence VAP will worsen their conditions leading to poor patient outcome. Exploring on the effect of raising the head of the bed on reducing ventilator-acquired pneumonia reveals more than just the art of positioning, but also the scientific rationale behind it. This study seeks to dig up existing information on the importance of patient positioning in preventing respiratory complications during hospitalization. The main purpose is to find out the effect of raising the head of the bed on the cases of VAP. Understanding the effects of raising head of bed as a way of preventing VAP help nurses to achieve patient satisfaction, increased quality outcome and shorten the period of hospitalization.