Ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units: A comparison of pre-pandemic and COVID-19 periods

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F70883521%3A28150%2F25%3A63594619" target="_blank" >RIV/70883521:28150/25:63594619 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/3/1000" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/3/1000</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm14031000" target="_blank" >10.3390/jcm14031000</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units: A comparison of pre-pandemic and COVID-19 periods

Original language description

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the burden of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units (ICUs) globally. However, epidemiological data on VAP in Slovak ICUs, particularly in the context of the pandemic, remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, microbial profiles, and risk factors of VAP in Slovak ICU settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective analysis of VAP data was conducted for respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a Slovak university hospital, comparing data from the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. The CDC/NHSN definitions for VAP were applied, and statistical analyses were performed using STATISTICA 13.1. Results: A total of 803 patients were analyzed, representing 8385 bed days and 5836 mechanical ventilator days. VAP rates increased significantly during the pandemic by 111%, from 8.46 to 17.86 events per 1000 MV days (p &lt; 0.001). VAP rates in non-COVID-19 patients increased by 86% during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. Pandemic conditions also increased ICU mortality from 25.66% to 40.52% (p &lt; 0.001). VAP was identified as a critical determinant of ICU mortality, contributing to a 21.62% higher mortality rate among patients during the pandemic. Younger age, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and medical (vs. surgical) hospitalizations were associated with higher VAP incidence. Gram-negative bacteria dominated the pathogen profiles, with significant increases observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (183%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (150%), and Acinetobacter spp. (100%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the incidence and epidemiology of VAP in Slovak ICUs, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in HAI surveillance and IPC practices.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

30221 - Critical care medicine and Emergency medicine

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Clinical Medicine

ISSN

2077-0383

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

14

Issue of the periodical within the volume

3

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

nestránkováno

UT code for WoS article

001420241800001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85217648566