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Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an infectious disease that occurs in patients who require mechanical ventilation support and is a consequence of it. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients because they are often caused by a multidrug-resistant microorganism. Therefore, our general objective is to describe the prevalence, clinical and microbiological characteristics, and mortality of ventilator-associated pneumonia at the Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Hospital during the year 2022 David, Chiriquí. This descriptive, retrospective and observational study presents a universe of clinical records of 78 patients with VAP (both living and deceased discharges) in the year 2022. A data collection instrument will be used in this study that will collect variables (fever, leukocytosis, in-hospital days, days of mechanical ventilation, pathogenic microorganism, antibiotic, etc.). The results are planned to be disseminated in an exhibition to medical interns, residents and staff to highlight the importance of this research topic, as well as to update on the prevalence and mortality of this disease, the connection of this pathology with its risk factors or the microbiological profile of the microbial agents responsible for it and the treatment used. The central question of the research study is: What is the prevalence, clinical and microbiological characteristics and mortality of VAP at the Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Hospital in 2022, David, Chiriquí?