Exposure to reprocessed single-use tracheal suction catheter and ventilator-associated pneumonia risk: A preliminary, single unit-based, matched case-control study.

Purpose: The reuse of reprocessed single-use suction catheter for suctioning an amount of tracheal secretion among orally intubated, mechanically ventilated patients, who are at risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between the repetitive use of reprocessed single-use suction catheter and VAP development.

Materials And Methods: A preliminary, single unit-based investigation was designed as matched case-control study to extract data from hospital's existing 5-year VAP report and inpatients' clinical records.