Abstract

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent nosocomial infection encountered in critical care settings. Thus, several packages (ventilator bundles, VBs) have been designed to help reduce or eliminate VAP, promote adherence to evidence-based guidelines and thus improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to assess current literature regarding the effectiveness of educational programmes on their implementation.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search strategy was formulated in association with an information specialist. We then reviewed studies published between 2003 and 2012 listed in seven multidisciplinary databases (Ovid MEDLINE^®, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Medic and Academic Search Premier). The study selection and quality assessment were carried out by two researchers independently and objectively.

Results: Six original studies were included in the final review. Educational programmes were linked to significant improvements in the overall adherence to VBs and a significant decrease in adverse clinical outcomes such as the incidence of VAP, monthly use of sedatives, duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalisation costs.

Conclusions: Education programmes about VBs can promote adherence to evidencebased guidelines and thus reducethe incidence of VAP. However, they are often inconsistently developed, implemented and evaluated. There are needs for both effective educational programmes and a universal method for evaluating their outcome.