Modular Prevention Bundle for Non-ventilator-associated Hospital-acquired Pneumonia (nvHAP)

Background: Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) is divided in two distinct groups, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and non-ventilator-associated HAP (nvHAP). Although nvHAP occurs more frequently than VAP and results in similar mortality and costs, prevention guidelines and prevention focus almost exclusively on VAP. Scientific evidence about nvHAP prevention is scarce. Therefore, we designed a mixed-methods study to investigate the effectiveness of a newly developed nvHAP prevention bundle and factors that influence its implementation.

Methods: This single-centre project at the 950-bed University Hospital Zurich (UHZ) will engage the wards of nine departments with substantial nvHAP rates. The nvHAP bundle consists of five primary prevention measures: 1) oral care, 2) identification and treatment of patients with dysphagia, 3) mobilization, 4) stopping unnecessary proton pump inhibitors, and, 5) respiratory therapy. Implementation includes the engagement of department-level implementation teams, who sustain the 'core' intervention components of education, training, and environmental restructuring and adapt the implementation strategy to local needs. The effects of the implementation will be analysed by a mixed-method approach. As primary outcome, nvHAP incidence rates will be analysed by Poisson regression models to compare incidence rates before, during, and after the implementation phases (on the hospital and department level). In addition, the association between process indicators and nvHAP incidence rates will be analysed using longitudinal Poisson regression models. A longitudinal, qualitative study and formative evaluation based on interviews and focus groups identifies supporting or hindering factors for implementation success in participating departments dynamically over time. This accumulating implementation experience will be constantly fed back to the implementation teams and thus, represents an active implementation element.

Discussion: This comprehensive mixed-methods study is designed to accomplish both, measure the effectiveness of a new prevention bundle against nvHAP and provide insights into how and why it worked or failed. The results of this study may contribute substantially to patient safety in the area of a rediscovered healthcare-associated infection - nvHAP.