Effect of continuous lateral rotational therapy on the prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients requiring long-term ventilatory care

Objective. To evaluate the role of continuous lateral rotational therapy on the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation. Design. Prospective control study. Setting. Chronic ventilator unit in tertiary care hospital. Methods: Thirty-seven patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation were assigned to receive either continuous lateral rotational therapy or conventional therapy. Results. Patients receiving continuous lateral rotational therapy had a significantly lower prevalence of pneumonia (17.6%) as compared with control patients (50%, p < .05). The development of pneumonia after being entered into the study was also significantly delayed in continuous lateral rotational therapy patients, 29 +/- 8 days vs. 12 +/- 2 days in controls (p < .05). However, unit mortality, total ventilator days, and the number of patients successfully weaned were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: In patients requiring long-term ventilator care, continuous lateral rotational therapy reduced the prevalence of pneumonia but did not seem to affect mortality or the period of mechanical ventilation.