[Analysis of compliance of 2 prevention measures for ventilator-associated pneumonia (raised head of bed and cuff pressure control)].

Objectives: To quantify the hours of mechanical ventilation in patients with head of bed elevation≥30°. Determining compliance of cuff measurement every 6h.
Method: Descriptive longitudinal study. Measured: time head of bed elevation≥30°, <30° and reasons for non compliance, as well as cuff control every 6h.
Results: One hundred and seventy-two records of head of bed elevation and 584 of cuff pressure. Daily average head<30° for care or procedures: 2h (1h19'). The theoretical average number of hours that patients should remain at≥30° was 21h15' (3h) and actual 14h (5h) (P<.001). Registration of cuff was 76,7%. Cuffs between 20-30cmH2O were 75.9%. The 20% of cuff pressure were measured every 6h<20cmH2O and 33.7% when the interval was higher (P=.04).
Conclusions: A third of the day patients are<30° without justification. Cuff pressure registration and percentage of therapeutic range are high. Control every 6h decreases the cuff with pressure<20cmH2O.
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