Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the burden of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units (ICUs) globally. However, epidemiological data on VAP in Slovak ICUs, particularly in the context of the pandemic, remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, microbial profiles, and risk factors of VAP in Slovak ICU settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective analysis of VAP data was conducted for respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a Slovak university hospital, comparing data from the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. The CDC/NHSN definitions for VAP were applied, and statistical analyses were performed using STATISTICA 13.1. Results: A total of 803 patients were analyzed, representing 8385 bed days and 5836 mechanical ventilator days. VAP rates increased significantly during the pandemic by 111%, from 8.46 to 17.86 events per 1000 MV days (p < 0.001). VAP rates in non-COVID-19 patients increased by 86% during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. Pandemic conditions also increased ICU mortality from 25.66% to 40.52% (p < 0.001). VAP was identified as a critical determinant of ICU mortality, contributing to a 21.62% higher mortality rate among patients during the pandemic. Younger age, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and medical (vs. surgical) hospitalizations were associated with higher VAP incidence. Gram-negative bacteria dominated the pathogen profiles, with significant increases observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (183%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (150%), and Acinetobacter spp. (100%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the incidence and epidemiology of VAP in Slovak ICUs, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in HAI surveillance and IPC practices.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky farmakologie MeSH
- bakteriální léková rezistence MeSH
- bakteriemie epidemiologie komplikace mikrobiologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- Escherichia coli izolace a purifikace účinky léků MeSH
- infekce vyvolané Escherichia coli epidemiologie komplikace MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory komplikace MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- MeSH
- fungemie farmakoterapie mortalita MeSH
- itrakonazol MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory komplikace MeSH
- neutropenie MeSH
- Trichosporon patogenita MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- kazuistiky MeSH
- MeSH
- bakteriemie etiologie farmakoterapie mikrobiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory farmakoterapie komplikace MeSH
- neutropenie MeSH
- peniciliny aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- protinádorové látky škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Streptococcus izolace a purifikace patogenita MeSH
- streptokokové infekce MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- MeSH
- antifungální látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- fungemie epidemiologie etiologie farmakoterapie MeSH
- infekce spojené se zdravotní péčí farmakoterapie mikrobiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory komplikace terapie MeSH
- neutropenie etiologie komplikace MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- srovnávací studie MeSH
