Frequency of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Patientsof ContinuousFeed versus Bolus Enteral Feed

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of ventilator associated pneumonia in continuous feed vs bolus enteral feeding.

Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of intensive care unit, Services Hospital, Lahore and Services Institute of Medical
Sciences, Lahore Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2019.

Methodology: In this study the cases of both genders with age more than 18 years were enrolled. Patients with Previous
History of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Hiatus Hernia, Esophageal & Abdominal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Bleed and
those admitted already with Pneumonia, APACHE Score 20 or greater and those with Acute respiratory distress syndrome
were excluded. The cases admitted in intensive care unit and requiring mechanical ventilation fulfilling inclusion and
exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Continuous feed was offered to cases in Group A and bolus to those in B and
were looked for development of ventilator associated pneumonia.

Results: In this study, eighty cases (40 per Group) were enrolled. There were 26(65%) vs 25(62.5%) males in Group A and B
respectively. The mean age was 51.85±12.61 vs 51.48±10.92 with p=0.88 in Group A and B. Mean ICU stay in Group A and B
was 6.40±5.07 and 5.50±2.63 (p=0.32). Ventilator associated pneumonia was observed in 4(10%) vs 6(15%) cases in Group A
and B respectively (p=0.74). Mean time for development of ventilator associated pneumonia in Group A and B was 4.67±1.15
vs 4.80±1.09 day with p= 0.60.

Conclusion: Ventilator associated pneumonia was seen more in cases of bolus vs continuous fee