Bundle care – prevention of pneumonia in patients mechanically ventilated in COVID-19 pandemia – a challenge for patients and personnel safety

Abstract

Intensive care units are characterized by the high risk of infections in patients. Pneumonia is one of the most common forms of infection with a high risk of death. Hence, to improve patient safety, specific packages of procedures, the so-called “bundle care,” are recommended by experts in the field. The usage of selected protective procedures carries the risk of transmitting microbes from patients to staff, which in the case of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 can have serious health consequences for staff. Therefore, medical staff of intensive care units should strictly follow recommendation concerning healthcare workers safety and the rules of isolation, which in the current pandemic should be supplemented with specific elements. The paper presents an overview of the optimization of patient care and staff safety within the so-called “bundle care” in the COVID-19 pandemic. Med Pr. 2021;72(6):721–8

Keywords

• mechanical ventilation
• personal protective equipment
• covid-19
• personnel safety
• patient safety
• pneumonia