Objective: To observe the reduction of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) rates after the conduction of educational program and implementation of VAP care bundles to surgical intensive care units (SICUs) healthcare personnel.
Material and Method: Patients were eligible if they were more than 18 years old and on ventilatory support at SICUs. The incidence of VAP was observed retrospectively before and prospectively after the implementation of the one-month educational program. The educational program emphasized VAP prevention. There were 220 patients in the pre-educational group (Group 1) and 220 patients in post-educational group (Group 2). The adherence rate to VAP care bundles according to the educational program was also observed.
Results: There were 19.8 and 11.5 episodes of VAP per 1,000 ventilator-days in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0.03). Median ventilator days were statistically decreased from 2 days to 1 day after an educational program (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the 28-day mortality rate was decreased from 34 cases (15.5%) to 18 cases (8.2%) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in length of ICUs stay, length of hospital stay and antibiotic cost. The adherence to head of bed elevation was improved from 50.1% in Group 1 to 70.3% in Group 2 after the educational program (p = 0.01). The adherence to other bundles was remained high with no significant improvement.
Conclusion: The prevention of VAP by implementation of VAP care bundles and the educational program can reduce the VAP rates, 28-day mortality rate and length of ventilator days in surgical ICUs.

Keywords: VAP, Incidence, Educational program, Bundles