[Pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation. Update and recommendations inter- Societies SADI-SATI].

Representatives of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI) and the Argentine Society of Intensive Therapy (SATI) worked together on the development of specific recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The methodology used was the analysis of the literature published in the last 15 years, complemented with the opinion of experts and local data. This document aims to offer basic tools to optimize diagnosis based on clinical and microbiological criteria, orientation in empirical and targeted antibiotic schemes, news on posology and administration of antibiotics in critical patients and to promote effective measures to reduce the risk of VAP.

Reducing pressure ulcers in patients with prolonged acute mechanical ventilation: a quasi-experimental study.

Objective:: To determine the effectiveness of a quality management program in reducing the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers in critical care patients.

Methods:: This was a quasi-experimental, before-and-after study that was conducted in a medical-surgical intensive care unit. Consecutive patients who had received mechanical ventilation for ≥ 96 hours were included.