Nursing interventions to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the scientific evidence in the literature on nursing interventions for patients diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methodology: this research is configured as an integrative review of the literature, based on the PICo strategy, through the descriptors: Nursing, Nursing Interventions and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. The search for articles took place in the databases, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Nursing Database, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, via the Virtual Health Library, using the time frame of 2019 and 2024 as a filter, primary articles, available in full, in Portuguese. Results: A total of 5,046 articles were obtained using the descriptors. By applying the filters, 63 articles were obtained for preliminary reading. Of these, 42 were read in full, 30 were discarded, making up the final sample of 12 articles to compose this review. Final considerations: It was observed that nursing team interventions are fundamental for the prevention and reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and that the implementation of actions aimed at improving patient safety is essential. The studies point out some identified obstacles, such as the lack of continuing education, team training, low adherence to sedation monitoring, and the shortage of nursing professionals in some institutions.