Intubation and mechanical ventilation greatly increase the risk of bacterial pneumonia among mechanically ventilated patients by allowing subglottic secretions to pool above the endotracheal tube cuff and become aspirated: thus, promoting the development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) which has a mortaility rate as high as 55 percent. It is crucial to learn more about the pooling of subglottic secretions and how nurses can positively affect the development of VAP. This relationship is important to understand as it may provide guidance to critical care nurses in assessing suctioning requirements.
The specific aims of this study are to: (1) describe the relationship between the volume of subglottic secretions accumulated over time at backrest elevation of 0, 25, and 45 degrees; (2) describe the relationship between the volume of subglottic secretions accumulated over time in lateral positions (right and left); and (3) describe the relationship between sublgottic and oral secretion volume and viscosity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NR007491-02
Application #
6187040
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Bryan, Yvonne E
Project Start
2000-09-27
Project End
Budget Start
2000-09-27
Budget End
2000-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$5,004
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
O'Neal, Pamela V; Grap, Mary Jo; Munro, Cindy L et al. (2014) Subglottic secretion volume and viscosity: effect of systemic volume and oral hydration. Dynamics 25:19-25
O'Neal, Pamela V; Munro, Cindy L; Grap, Mary Jo et al. (2007) Subglottic secretion viscosity and evacuation efficiency. Biol Res Nurs 8:202-9