Timing of Ventilator Circuit Tubing Replacement

Abstract

In adult patients with mechanical ventilation, more frequent ventilator circuit tubing replacement may increase the odds of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but the findings are imprecise. In pediatric patients with mechanical ventilation, more frequent and less frequent intervals of ventilator circuit tubing replacement may result in a similar risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia, all-cause mortality, and ventilator-associated pneumonia mortality, and similar durations of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. For preterm neonates, children, and adult patients, it is recommended to replace the ventilator circuit tubing if it is visibly soiled, not functioning properly, or as recommended in the manufacturer's instructions. We did not find any guidelines about fixed versus nonfixed ventilator circuit tubing replacement.