Evaluation of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Risk Factors and Pathogens in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: Many patients followed in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic required mechanical ventilation. In the present study, the purpose was to examine the risk factors, frequency, and causative pathogens of ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. Material and Method: The study had a retrospective study design and was conducted among COVID-19 patients followed in the tertiary intensive care units of a training and research hospital. COVID-19 patients, who were older than eighteen years, and intubated in the tertiary intensive care units between March 2020 and January 1, 2021, were included in the present study. Microbiological data such as reproductions in endotracheal aspirate cultures, infectious microorganisms, and antibiotic susceptibility were collected from the patient files. Univariate and Multivariate Binary Logistic Regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors effective in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Results: Ventilator-associated pneumonia was observed in 52.9% (108) of patients, which was confirmed by growth in endotracheal aspirate cultures. The hospitalization (17.56±14.09) and intubated follow-up times (14.55±11.66)(day) of the patients who had culture growth were significantly higher than the hospitalization (9.74±6.01) and intubated follow-up (7.12±4.32)(day) times of the patients without growth (P