System design to prevent Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a major problem in hospitals and is the leading cause of deaths among all hospital-acquired infections. Critically ill subjects who are in the intensive care unit (ICU) and under mechanical ventilator support are more prone to VAP. Traditionally, VAP bundle is used in hospitals for prevention of VAP. VAP bundle consists of five protocols which must be observed by the caregiver at regular intervals of time. One of the critical protocol steps is to always maintain the patient's head up angle at 30–45 degrees. This is not always strictly followed by caregivers due to lack of continuous monitoring and alert mechanisms. Hence a novel method is proposed which includes a wearable sensor which is attached to the patient's body, continuously monitoring the patient's head up angle and a tablet-based system that reminds the caregiver as and when required to help comply with the VAP bundle protocols. Preliminary studies under a controlled setting revealed that the system can continuously monitor and accurately detect the patient's head up angle and remind the caregiver when required.