Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Koulenti, Zhang & Fragkou (2020) described nosocomial pneumonia, commonly known as hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), as an infection of the lungs people contract while residing in a healthcare institution. The condition tremendously impacts the American healthcare system, with thousands of patients impacted annually. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate around 157,500 HAP cases annually in the US (Gaffney, 2019). Patients with an increased risk of getting HAP are those already hospitalized, primarily those with conditions that require mechanical breathing. Also, additional risk factors include old age, immunosuppression, chronic respiratory conditions, and invasive medical treatments like intubation or central line insertion.

According to Poovieng, Sakboonyarat & Nasomsong (2022), hospital-acquired pneumonia patients may suffer severe consequences. Firstly, HAP prolongs hospital stays dramatically, which raises healthcare expenses and demands more resources. Patients with HAP may need more extensive diagnostic procedures, specialist therapies, and prolonged antibiotic regimens. The lengthy hospitalization affects the patient’s psychological and emotional wellness and physical well-being, which may result in anxiety, sadness, or post-traumatic stress disorder. HAP may also lead to consequences that add to the stress on individuals and the healthcare system. Respiratory failure, infection, lung infections, and effusions of the pleural cavity are some of these problems. Patients with HAP frequently require hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical breathing, and surgical operations, which strains the financial capacity of healthcare facilities and increases the burden for healthcare professionals.

In addition to the individual clients, the entire US healthcare system is affected financially by pneumonia acquired in a healthcare facility. HAP is linked to significant healthcare expenses because of extended hospital stays, greater drug needs, and the demand for specialist therapies. According to research presented by Munro et al. (2021) in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the added economic cost of HAP is projected to be about $40,000 per case, amounting to billions of dollars every year in the United States. Because of these expenditures, healthcare facilities, insurers, and patients are under significant financial strain.

The overall healthcare system is heavily burdened by pneumonia acquired in hospitals. It makes it more difficult for healthcare professionals to oversee and manage patients necessitating hiring more employees and resources. As a result of the increase in HAP cases, healthcare facilities are under stress to put in place proactive measures like infection control strategies, surveillance initiatives, and staff training to lessen the likelihood of HAP incidence and spread in healthcare settings. Antimicrobial resistance is another issue brought up by the rise in HAP frequency. The misuse and abuse of antibiotics in the treatment of HAP can result in the emergence of bacterial strains that are resistant to them, resulting in more difficulty in properly treating infections. The problem restricts the options for therapy for various infectious illnesses, which worsens the control of HAPs and has larger consequences for care delivery.

Nursing theory

The Neuman Systems Model is a theory in nursing that closely connects to addressing the problem of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). According to this nursing theory, the patient is an intricate system continuously interacting with its surroundings. A patient’s immune system is disrupted by HAP, which is a stressor (Lawson, 2021). Therefore, the nurse must assist the patient in coping with the stressor and preserving homeostasis. The Neuman Systems Model proposes a model principle for comprehending the elements, including a patient’s underlying health state, the medical facility, and the employed healthcare methods, that support the onset of HAP. The framework offers a platform for creating HAP control and preventative strategies. For instance, nurses utilize the Neuman Systems Model to identify admitted individuals more susceptible to HAP. Thus, they put treatments into place to lessen the patient’s exposure to health threats, like handwashing, using sterile equipment, and maintaining a sanitary atmosphere. Also, nurses can collaborate with other healthcare providers to create guidelines and processes that will aid in the prevention and management of HAP,

The Neuman Systems Model is a thorough and all-encompassing model used to comprehend and resolve the challenging problem of HAP. It is a useful tool for healthcare professionals to prevent and control this severe infection (Etchin et al., 2020). The example