Introduction: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia occurring more than 48 hours after initiation of intubation and mechanical ventilation. VAP continues to complicate the course of 8-28% of patients receiving mechanical ventilation¹. The mortality rate for VAP ranges from 24-50%² and may reach 76% in some specific settings or when lung infection is caused by high risk pathogens.

The aim of the study was to find out the incidence of VAP in ICUs of Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Kottayam, to study the underlying risk factors, percentage of early outset VAP, identify the bacterial pathogens and to study the mortality attribute to VAP.

Materials and Methods: A total of 89 patients satisfying all inclusion and exclusion criteria, who underwent mechanical ventilation in Medical ICU, Neurosurgery ICU and Surgical ICU were included. The patients were monitored every third day for development of VAP using modified CPIS criteria until either discharge from ICU or death. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel, Microsoft word and SPSS.12.

Results: Incidence of VAP in GMCH, Kottayam in three ICUs combined is 24.7%. Risk factors found to have statistical significance in the current study are age >60 years, duration of ventilation >5 days and the presence of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: Incidence of VAP in GMCH, Kottayam is comparable to other tertiary care centres. VAP is associated with significant mortality in ventilated patients.

Keywords: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Early Onset VAP (EOVAP), Late onset VAP (LOVAP), Risk factor.

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Dr Sheela Kurian V

Additional professor of Medicine,

Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala