Ventilator-associated pneumonia: the influence of bacterial resistance, prescription errors, and de-escalation of antimicrobial therapy on mortality rates

Abstract Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most prevalent nosocomial infection in intensive care units and is associated with high mortality rates (14–70%). Aim This study evaluated factors influencing mortality of patients with Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), including bacterial resistance, prescription errors, and de-escalation of antibiotic therapy. Methods This retrospective study included 120 cases of Ventilator-associated pneumonia admitted to the adult adult intensive care unit of the Federal University of Uberlândia. The chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables. Student's t-test was used for quantitative variables and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of mortality. Findings De-escalation of antibiotic therapy and resistant bacteria did not influence mortality. Mortality was 4 times and 3 times higher, respectively, in patients who received an inappropriate antibiotic loading dose and in patients whose antibiotic dose was not adjusted for renal function. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the incorrect adjustment for renal function was the only independent factor associated with increased mortality. Conclusion Prescription errors influenced mortality of patients with Ventilator-associated pneumonia, underscoring the challenge of proper Ventilator-associated pneumonia treatment, which requires continuous reevaluation to ensure that clinical response to therapy meets expectations.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: the influence of bacterial resistance, prescription errors, and de-escalation of antimicrobial therapy on mortality rates.

UNLABELLED: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most prevalent nosocomial infection in intensive care units and is associated with high mortality rates (14-70%). AIM: This study evaluated factors influencing mortality of patients with Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), including bacterial resistance, prescription errors, and de-escalation of antibiotic therapy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 cases of Ventilator-associated pneumonia admitted to the adult adult intensive care unit of the Federal University of Uberlândia. The chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables. Student's t-test was used for quantitative variables and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of mortality. FINDINGS: De-escalation of antibiotic therapy and resistant bacteria did not influence mortality. Mortality was 4 times and 3 times higher, respectively, in patients who received an inappropriate antibiotic loading dose and in patients whose antibiotic dose was not adjusted for renal function. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the incorrect adjustment for renal function was the only independent factor associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Prescription errors influenced mortality of patients with Ventilator-associated pneumonia, underscoring the challenge of proper Ventilator-associated pneumonia treatment, which requires continuous reevaluation to ensure that clinical response to therapy meets expectations.

Prevalência de sintomas depressivos entre estudantes de medicina da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / Prevalence of depressive symptoms among medicine students of the University Federal of Uberlândia

INTRODUÇÃO: A formação médica expõe o estudante de Medicina a experiências de estresse, tornando-o potencialmente vulnerável a distúrbios emocionais. OBJETIVO: Conhecer a prevalência de sintomas depressivos entre os estudantes de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. MÉTODO: Os sintomas depressivos foram rastreados por meio do Inventário de Beck (IDB), aplicado a 81 por cento dos estudantes matriculados no primeiro semestre de 2004. Os pontos de corte para ausência de sintomas depressivos, sintomas leves, moderados e graves foram, respectivamente, 0-3, 4-7, 8-15 e 16 ou mais. Levantaram-se dados demográficos por meio de questionário. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 400 acadêmicos avaliados, houve predomínio de jovens, do sexo feminino, solteiros, procedentes de Uberlândia e que moram com os pais. A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi de 79 por cento, sendo 29 por cento com grau leve; 31 por cento moderado e 19,25 por cento grave. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicam uma proporção de sintomas depressivos superior à encontrada na literatura referente a estudantes de Medicina. As excessivas cargas horárias e a ansiedade progressiva com a finalização do curso merecem maior atenção no processo de mudança curricular.

INTRODUCTION: Medical graduation exposes students to a series of stressful experiences, which contribute to emotional vulnerability and disturbances. OBJECTIVE: Obtain information about the prevalence and quality of depressive symptoms among UFU's Medical students. METHODOLOGY: Depressive symptoms were traced using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), which was applied to 81 percent of the Medical students at UFU in the first semester of 2004. Demographic data were collected by means of a questionnaire. The cut points for absence of symptoms, minor, moderated and severe symptoms were 0-3, 4-7, 8-15 and 16 or more points respectively. RESULTS: The predominant characteristics among the 400 evaluated students were young, female, single, native from Uberlândia, and living with their parents. Depressive symptoms occurred in 79 percent of the sample. According to BDI scores, 29 percent of the students had symptoms of light, 31 percent of moderated and 19.25 percent of severe depression. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a rate of depressive symptoms in medicine students higher than that found in the literature. The excessive number of study hours and the increasing anxiety, especially towards the end of the course, should be taken into consideration in the process of curricular changes.