Nonpharmacological prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is the most common nosocomial infection occurring among mechanically ventilated patients. The benefits associated with the systematic prevention of HAP include fewer infections with high-risk antibiotic-resistant bacteria, lower rates of hospital mortality, reduced medical care costs, and shorter hospital lengths of stay. Unfortunately, many hospitals do not have an organized approach to the prevention of HAP. This review will describe the nonpharmacological approaches available for the prevention of HAP. It should help clinicians to design their own strategies for the prevention of this important hospital-acquired infection.