Changing Heat and Moisture Exchangers Every 48 Hours Does Not Increase the Incidence of Nosocomial Pneumonia

Abstract

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the risk of nosocomial pneumonia when changing heat and moisture exchangers every 48 hours in 1996 instead of every 24 hours in 1995 for patients needing continuous mechanical ventilation. Medical and surgical patients in the two periods did not differ in terms of demographic characteristics and markers of acute or underlying illnesses. The incidence density of nosocomial pneumonia was not different in the two groups. Extended heat and moisture exchanger use reduces circuit manipulation and cost.

Ventilator associated pneumonia and infection control

“…Moreover they have bacterial filtration characteristics [ 34 , 98 ]. They do not need to be changed daily and can be used for at least 48 hours, sometimes for up to 1 week [ 107 , 108 ]. Also with other advantages (reduced nurses workload, reduced financial cost, and better safety), HMEs are favourable devices in many ICUs.…”

Sinnvolle und nicht sinnvolle Hygienemaßnahmen in der Anästhesie und auf Intensivstationen

“…Bisher konnte nicht gezeigt werden, daß das bauliche Design einen Einfluß auf die Rate nosokomialer Infektionen hat [18,27] Wechsel der Beatmungsschläuche alle 48 Stunden [3,22] täglicher Wechsel von HME´s [11] täglicher Wechsel von Verneblertöpfen [28] Verwendung von Einmalabsaugsystemen [4] bakteriologisches ″Monitoring″ von Trachealsekret, Urin,Venenkatheterspitzen [15,28] ungezielte Umgebungsuntersuchungen [10] Fußbodendesinfektion auf Intensivstationen [4,9,12] in-line-Filter …”