A Mechanically Ventilated Model for Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit PICU NICU Patients Covidien and Biofilm

1. A Mechanically Ventilated Model for Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PICU) (NICU) PatientsCovidien and Biofilm Research Laboratory VAP (Ventilator-associated pneumonia) is the second most common hospital-acquired infection among pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit (PICU) (NICU) patients. In the United States: ~516,000 infants are admitted to NICU’s. ~258,000 infants require mechanical ventilation. 3-10% of ventilated pediatric ICU (NICU and PICU) patients acquire VAP. Of which, have a mortality rate of ~20%. 6.8-32.3% of NICU patients with acquired nosocomial infections have pneumonia. VAP is associated with: Increased morbidity in NICU and PICU patients. Longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Increased resource utilization, specifically antibiotic administration. Increased hospital costs (2yr. study of PICU patients). Patients with VAP ~$38,614. Patients without VAP ~$7,682 . Increased ICU resources devoted to caring for NICU and PICU patients. Roughly ~50% of resources such as empirical antibiotics. Due to the severity of the development of VAP in the NICU and PICU, it is urgent to develop new technology to prevent this and reduce any potential HAI or nosocomial infections.

2. Comparative Characteristics for NICU vs. PICU at WVUH