Safe Practices for Ventilator Patients Reduce Adverse Events and Complications, Study Says

​Adherence to evidence-based practices for patients on ventilators decreased the rate of ventilator-associated events and complications in a two-state collaborative study, according to an April 26, 2017, report in the journal Critical Care Medicine. The study was conducted at 56 intensive care units (ICUs) in 38 hospitals in Maryland and Pennsylvania between October 2012 and March 2015. The interventions included elevating the patient's head, using suction to drain secretions from the patient's endotracheal tube, helping with oral hygiene by brushing the patient's teeth and using a germicidal mouthwash, and executing daily spontaneous awakening and breathing trials by reducing narcotics and sedatives.