Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42802861›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Sustained Reduction of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Through a Structured Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement Strategy.

Cindy L Austin, Liz Day, Brian Draper

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Cindy L AustinTrauma Research, Mercy Health, Springfield, USA.
Liz DayTrauma Program, Mercy Health, Springfield, USA.
Brian DraperGeneral and Trauma Surgery, Mercy Health, Springfield, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a source of morbidity and mortality among critical care patients, particularly in trauma and burn. In 2022, our hospital identified a high incidence of VAP. This prompted a comprehensive evaluation and implementation of targeted interventions to improve outcomes in ventilated patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted strategy for VAP prevention by assessing its effectiveness in reducing VAP incidence through consistent application of evidence-based interventions. This pre- and post-quality improvement study was conducted at a Midwest Level I trauma center from 2022 to 2025. Interventions included standardized documentation with validation by a designated trauma program member, consistent use of a respiratory care protocol for intubated patients, and emphasis on extubation or tracheostomy decision-making during daily multidisciplinary rounds. Nursing staff introduced structured care cards to monitor oral hygiene, prophylaxis, sedation breaks, and equipment assessments. Audits were conducted using a visual accountability board system to reinforce compliance and enable immediate corrective actions. A Ventilator-Associated Event Committee representing nursing, infection prevention, respiratory therapy, trauma, critical care medicine, and quality improvement met monthly to review data, refine interventions, and support ongoing staff education. The results showed adherence to evidence-based VAP prevention practices improved, with a sustained reduction in VAP incidence from 3.3% to 0.4% across reporting periods. Coordinated interdisciplinary collaboration efforts, guided by structured and data-driven strategies, resulted in significant reductions in VAP rates and improved the overall quality of care for mechanically ventilated patients.

Indexed as

burncritical careintensive care unitmechanically ventilated patientquality improvementtraumaventilator-associated pneumonia

Identifiers

PMID42802861
PMCPMC13616220

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.