부산대학교 도서관

The knowledge and skill of nursing staff has been recognized as an important factor influencing the incidence and treatment of nosocomial pneumonia, particularly in the acute care settings. With a full understanding of pneumonia diagnosis and treatment strategies, nurses can contribute greatly in preventing and managing ventilatorassociated pneumonia (VAP). Evidence is emerging that nurses' involvement in screening high risk patients and collecting samples appropriately will assist a timely diagnosis of VAP and avoid unnecessary antibiotics prescription. In this article we describe the key points for VAP prevention and VAP diagnosis and, ultimately, promote the central role of nursing care in managing VAP.