Estimation of the incidence and microbial profile of ventilator associated pneumonia in a tertiary care centre and its implication in health care system.

A cross sectional observational study will be carried out in the Intensive Care Units (Covid and Non Covid) of Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat. All patients enrolled in the study will be followed daily for the development of signs and symptoms of VAP 48 hours after intubation and mechanical ventilation. Various clinical, physiological, microbiological and radiographic parameters, as described by Johanson et al., will be accessed giving them numerical values, which when scored can predict the presence or absence of VAP. In a case of new onset sepsis, tracheal aspirate will be collected using sterile mucus extractor and as par CDC guidelines for collection of tracheal aspirate sample.. Attempt to exclude other sources of infection will be made by focused physical examination and relevant investigations including urine culture, blood culture, imaging studies etc. depending upon the clinical profile of the patient. . If no other apparent source of infection will be found, then VAP will be suspected and lung protective ventilation as par ARDS net protocol will be started to prevent the development of ARDS. All samples will be processed in the department of microbiology for the growth of organisms by conventional methods. All isolates will be subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity testing using disk diffusion method Following CLSI guidelines