Purpose of Review: To review the clinical evidence on the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revascularization options in left main (LM) disease in comparison with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Coronary artery disease (CAD) involving the LM is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though CABG remains the gold standard for complex CAD involving the LM artery, recent trials have shown a trend towards non-inferiority of the LM PCI when compared with CABG in certain subset of patients. Recent Findings: Two recent major randomized trials compared the outcomes of PCI versus CABG in the LM and multi-vessel disease with LM involvement. The NOBLE trial included patients with all range of Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) scores and utilized biolimus drug-eluting stent (DES). The trial concluded that MACCE (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event) was significantly higher with PCI (28%) when compared with CABG (18%) but overall stroke and motility were not different. EXCEL trial evaluated the same treatment option in low to intermediate SYNTAX score population with third-generation everolimus DES platform as PCI option. Results showed no significant differences in the composite primary endpoints of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) at the end of 30 days (22% versus 19.2%, p = 0.13), although repeat revascularization was higher in PCI group (16.9% versus 10%). Summary: Recent evidence suggests that PCI is an acceptable alternative to treat symptomatic LM stenosis in select group of patients. In low to medium SYNTAX score, particularly in patients without diabetes mellitus, PCI remains a viable option. Future trials focusing on evaluating subset of patients who would benefit from one particular revascularization option in comparison with other is warranted.

No description available.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第23756号 / 医博第4802号 / 新制||医||1056(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 中山 健夫, 教授 村井 俊哉, 教授 小杉 眞司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Purpose The objective of this thesis is to establish an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the primary management of obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI). Four gaps are identified for management of OBPI in Canada: 1) The historic poor use of evidence, 2) Timing of referral to multidisciplinary care, 3) Indications and timing of operative nerve repair, and 4) Distribution of expertise in Canada. Methods The guideline is intended for all providers delivering perinatal care, and all specialists delivering care to OBPI patients. The consensus group was composed of clinicians representing each of Canada’s ten multidisciplinary centres. An original systematic review comparing the effectiveness of primary operative versus nonoperative management, and a review of Canadian OBPI epidemiology were completed. Quality indicators for referral to a multidisciplinary centre were established. Recommendations were based on best evidence, and interpretation of this evidence by clinical experts. An electronic modified Delphi approach was used for consensus, with agreement criteria defined a priori following RAND procedures. Results Nerve repair reduces functional impairment in OBPI versus nonoperative management of similar patients, and modern microsurgery has low incidence of major adverse events. The quality of evidence was low. Residual impairment is underestimated and uncharacterized in nonoperative literature. OBPI incidence was at least 1.24 per 1000 births in Canada, and consistent over the study period. The strongest risk factors for OBPI were comorbid humerus fracture, shoulder dystocia and comorbid clavicle fracture. Most patients were not referred to a multidisciplinary centre. The guideline group approved seven recommendations. Discussion Recommendations address the identified gaps in care, and guide identification, referral, treatment and outcome assessment for OBPI. The process established a new network of opinion leaders and researchers for further guideline development, and multicentre research. The next step is to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

In this dissertation, we base our experience of carrying out participation in 4 EU-funded projects: EUROFETUS (Cost-Effectiveness of ultrasound screening for congenital anomalies); MOMS-B (MOther Mortality and Severe morbidity); PERISTAT(Monitoring and evaluating perinatal health) and EUPHRATES (EUropean Project on obstetric Haemorrhage Reduction: Attitudes, Trial, and Early warning System), an online questionnaire survey for researchers and a literature review, to provide results which will help us to understand the added value and the challenges of the EU collaboration research and the challenges of EU collaboration research in improving the quality and the accessibility of reproductive healthcare.<p>The EUROFETUS project showed that, despite the fact that the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies has been declining during the last twenty years, they are still a major cause of perinatal mortality and childhood disability in Europe. Congenital heart defects were among the most frequent and the most severe malformations, but were the least diagnosed prenatally. There was large variation between and within countries regarding the proportion of cases diagnosed prenatally and the proportion of cases resulting in termination of pregnancy. From the data available in Eurofetus, such variation might result from the cultural differences underling policy or on ultrasonographer’s expertise, or on differing interpretation of scientific evidence in the design and implementation of screening.<p>The MOMS-B project allowed population-based comparisons between countries by using the standardised definition that showed the three conditions (pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis) selected to as markers of acute severe maternal morbidity are not rare in Europe. Severe haemorrhage was the most common of severe maternal morbidity condition, but its incidence varied widely between European countries.<p>The PERISTAT project on the indicators of unfavourable maternal health outcome showed that the maternal mortality ratios (per 100, 000 live births) for early obstetric death ranged from 2.8 to 11.4 across European countries studied. Such variation reflected different resources and systems in place with varying level of ascertainment in addition to difference in the number of maternal deaths.<p>The EUPHRATES project on a survey of current practice in relation to management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in 14 European countries showed that there were considerable differences in policies for managing the third stage of labour between and within the countries studied.<p> The online questionnaire survey for researchers showed that almost all researchers were satisfied with their participation in EU-funded project; the main benefits for them were transfer and sharing of experience and knowledge between researchers, but the administrative procedures should be simplified in the future. The description of the process needed to obtain ethical approval for a cluster randomized trial in the EUPHRATES project showed that there was considerable variation in time required and the criteria used amongst 14 European countries, with consequential delay in research and exclusion of one country from the trial. <p>Overall, we conclude that Community Framework programmes offer new opportunities to connect researchers from all over Europe to share expertise and resources, including computing tools, and make a real contribution to the creation of the European research area. The added value of EU collaborative research is particularly well positioned for improving foetal and maternal health, from the perspective of harmonizing case definitions, collecting the necessary number of cases within a limited period of time, comparing data between regions and countries, meeting the specific needs of the EU and giving a common response to European reproductive health questions. On the other hand, epidemiological data from multiple countries has advanced our understanding of important health-risks and their geographical distributions across Europe and provided the evidence to help people make better decisions about healthcare in the field of reproductive health for the future research.<p>We focus on reproductive health but believe that this approach could be adapted to other fields when appropriate./Dans cette thèse, nous avons basé notre expérience sur notre participation dans 4 projets européens (EUROFETUS, MOMS-B, PERISTAT et EUPHRATES), un questionnaire en ligne vers les chercheurs, et une revue de la littérature pour fournir les résultats qui nous aideront à comprendre la valeur ajoutée qu’apporte la recherche collaborative et les défis de cette recherche pour l’amélioration de la qualité et de l’accessibilité de la santé reproductive.<p>Le projet EUROFETUS montre que, en dépit du fait que la prévalence des anomalies congénitales à la naissance diminue depuis une vingtaine d’années, elles restent une cause majeure de mortalité périnatale et de handicaps infantiles. Les malformations cardiaques congénitales sont parmi les plus fréquentes et les plus sévères des malformations, mais aussi les moins diagnostiquées. Il y a de larges différences entre et à l’intérieur des pays concernant la proportion de cas diagnostiqués en prénatal et la proportion de cas résultant en interruption de grossesse. D’après les données disponibles dans EUROFETUS, de telles variations pourraient résulter de politiques de santé différentes, reflétant des divergences culturelles, de variations dans l’expertise des échographistes, ou encore d’interprétations divergentes de preuves scientifiques dans la conception ou la mise en place du screening.<p>Le projet collaboratif européen sur la Mortalité et la Morbidité Maternelle sévère (MOMB-B) a permis des comparaisons en population entre pays en utilisant une définition standardisée qui a montré que les trois pathologies sélectionnées (pré-éclampsie, hémorragie, sepsis) comme marqueurs de la morbidité maternelle sévère n’étaient pas rares en Europe. L’hémorragie sévère était la pathologie la plus fréquente, mais son incidence variait très fort d’un pays à l’autre.<p>The PERISTAT project on the indicators of unfavourable maternal health outcome showed that the maternal mortality ratios (per 100, 000 live births) for early obstetric death ranged from 2.8 to 11.4 across European countries studied. Such variation reflected different resources and systems in place with varying level of ascertainment in addition to difference in the number of maternal deaths.<p>Le projet EUPHRATES, par une enquête de pratique concernant le management de la troisième phase du travail et du management immédiat de l’hémorragie du postpartum dans 14 pays européens, a montré qu’il y avait des différences considérables dans les pratiques entre et à l’intérieur des pays en Europe.<p>Le questionnaire en ligne auprès des chercheurs a montré que la plupart étaient satisfaits de leur participation à des projets européens, les principaux bénéfices étaient le transfert et le partage d’expériences et de connaissances entre chercheurs mais que les procédures administratives devraient être simplifiées dans le futur. La description de l’utilisation des comités d’éthique dans l’essai EUPHRATES a montré de très grandes divergences.<p>En général, nous concluons que les programmes-cadres européens offrent de nouvelles opportunités aux chercheurs européens de partager l’expertise et les moyens, en ce compris les outils informatiques et contribuent à la création d’un espace européen de la recherche. La valeur ajoutée de la recherche collaborative est particulièrement importante pour améliorer la santé fœtale et maternelle par l’harmonisation de la définition des cas, la collecte du nombre nécessaire de cas dans une période déterminée, la comparaison des données entre les régions et pays, pour rencontrer les besoins spécifiques de l’Union Européenne et donner une réponse commune aux questions de santé reproductive en Europe. D’autre part, les données épidémiologiques de nombreux pays ont fait avancer notre compréhension de risques importants de santé maternelle et leur distribution géographique à travers l’Europe et apporté la preuve de la nécessité d’aider les gens à prendre la meilleure décision en ce qui concerne les soins en santé reproductive pour de futures recherches. <p>Nous nous sommes concentrés sur la santé reproductive mais nous croyons que cette approche pourrait être adaptée à d’autres domaines.<p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences de la santé publique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background: Neck pain is an extremely common condition and the treatment of neck pain forms an integral part of chiropractic practice. The optimal treatment of neck pain is provided when practitioners incorporate available evidence, experience, and knowledge regarding the clinical presentation of the patient into their treatment regimes. Current evidence suggests that a combination of manual therapy, specifically manipulation and/or mobilization, and rehabilitation may offer the optimum treatment for mechanical neck pain. However, numerous factors other than available evidence, experience and clinical presentation may influence treatment choices made by practitioners. Through the assessment of practice patterns, one may asses if the optimal treatment for a neck pain is being provided by practitioners and assess if factors specific to a practitioner may influence the treatment of neck pain. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the chiropractic treatment and management of mechanical neck pain, to compare this to evidence based recommendations for the conservative treatment of mechanical neck pain and to assess if factors other than the available evidence may influence the treatment of mechanical neck pain. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey compiled using available literature and validated by means of a focus group and pilot testing, was administered to chiropractors practicing in KwaZulu-Natal. Upon completion of the questionnaire, the data was coded into an Excel spread sheet and imported into IBM SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis. This research protocol was approved by the Durban University of Technology Institutional Research Ethics Committee (REC 82/13) and the study took place from March to July 2014. Results: Ninety-six practitioners responded to the study which is a response rate of greater than 70%. Practitioners favoured the use of spinal manipulation, auxiliary therapeutic techniques (specifically those which were manual in nature), rehabilitation, and numerous forms of education. Specific variations in treatment pattern existed when comparing various patient presentations indicating that practitioner based factors impacted on treatment choices made by practitioners. The most significant findings included the increased utilisation of auxiliary therapeutic techniques by female practitioners, the increased utilisation of traction by practitioners identifying with the straight philosophy of chiropractic. Other significant findings included the increased utilisation of cervical collars by practitioners of increased age and experience and the increased utilisation of auxiliary therapeutic techniques by practitioners who did not attend health related conferences at least once every second year or did not attend short courses or subscribe to journals or magazines since qualification. Conclusions: This study indicates that treatment for mechanical neck pain offered by chiropractors in KwaZulu-Natal is in line with current evidence based recommendations for the treatment of mechanical neck pain, with practitioners commonly using modalities which were recommended, whilst rarely using modalities which were not recommended. The use of rehabilitation was, however, slightly lower than expected. Patient presentation and practitioner based factors were found to influence the treatment of mechanical neck pain; however, as a whole these variations were small with the majority of practitioners favouring the use of modalities which were recommended within the literature. Future studies should address the gap in the literature regarding the conservative treatment of cervical radiculopathy. / M

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background A need for primary care practitioners to utilise clinical research evidence in practice has been identified and is well described. However a chasm between evidence and practice still exists in primary health care (PHC). Although clinical practice guidelines have been shown to improve the quality of clinical practice and attempt to bridge the gap between evidence and practice, practitioners are often not aware of practice guidelines and fail to access, adopt or adhere to evidence-based recommendations contained in them. Central question How can the implementation of clinical research evidence, using the example of the national evidence-based guideline on asthma, be improved in the PHC sector in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole? Aim This research aimed to improve the implementation of clinical research evidence in PHC, by learning from the specific example of the national evidence-based asthma guideline in PHC practice in the Metro District Health System (MDHS) of the Cape Town metropole, and to make recommendations to key stakeholders regarding the future implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Objectives  To gain insight into the current quality of asthma care in PHC in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole.  To determine whether the process of implementation of the new asthma guideline contributed to an improvement in the quality of care in the MDHS.  To explore ways of improving the process of implementation of the national asthma guideline in PHC in the MDHS.  To gain insight into the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of asthmatic patients regarding their asthma management.  To explore how EBP is understood and perceived by doctors in PHC. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za  To understand how PHC doctors in the public and private health sectors gain access to and use guidelines.  To explore the experiences, perspectives and understanding of family physicians (FPs) (academic, private and public sector) with regard to EBP and the implementation of guidelines in PHC practice.  To gain insight into the understanding of FPs regarding the perceived problems and main barriers to EBP and their views of the process of guideline implementation in PHC.  To gain insight into the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of clinical nurse practitioners in the public sector with regard to EBP and the process of guideline implementation. Methodology This study was conducted in the PHC setting of the Cape Town metropole. This research was conducted in three phases and used cross-sectional surveys, quality improvement (QI) cycles, qualitative research methods, such as interviews with FPs, and participatory action research (PAR). Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional survey, which looked at the knowledge, awareness and perspectives of doctors, regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) and guideline implementation using the national evidence-based asthma guideline published in 2007. It also involved QI cycles conducted over a period of five years to assess the baseline quality of asthma care in the PHC sector and to evaluate improvement in asthma care as a result of the QI cycles and associated educational workshops. Phase 2 involved interviews conducted with FPs in academia as well as in the private and public health care sectors who were responsible for clinical governance in PHC in the Cape Town metropole. During this phase of the research the experiences, perspectives and understanding of FPs (academic, private and public sector) with regard to EBP and the implementation of guidelines in PHC practice were explored. Phase 3 involved PAR with primary care practitioners at community health centres (CHCs) using a co-operative inquiry group (CIG) to improve asthma guideline implementation in PHC. The CIG investigated how to improve the implementation of the asthma guideline in their respective CHCs and completed four cycles of planning-action-observation-reflection. The four cycles focused on implementation of an asthma self-management plan (ASMP), exploring the capability of clinical nurse practitioners to implement the guidelines, exploring the views of patients on their asthma care and implementing better patient education. A final consensus of the CIG’s learning was then constructed. Results With regard to quality improvement of asthma care in PHC: The first objective of the study was largely addressed through the baseline audits conducted in 2007 and 2008. This showed that the baseline quality of asthma care, with specific reference to the assessment of the patient’s level of control, measuring the patient’s peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), assessing the patient’s inhaler/ spacer technique, recording the smoking status, the adequate prescription of controller and reliever metered dose inhalers (MDI) refills during visits and particularly the issuing of an ASMP during visits, was poor. The second objective was addressed through the annual audits conducted in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 during the period of implementation. This showed that although clear cause and effect reasoning cannot be inferred, overall statistically and clinically significant improvements in the quality of care occurred in conjunction with the process of asthma guideline implementation. Despite the improvement in structural and process criteria there was no corresponding improvement in the outcome criteria and in fact the utilisation of facilities for emergency visits significantly increased, while the hospitalisation of patients remained constant. The third objective was to explore ways of improving the process of implementation of the national asthma guideline in PHC in the MDHS. This was largely addressed through the action-research process at selected CHCs. This showed that implementation could be improved by ongoing educational support and formal interactive training workshops with the staff members who were directly involved with patients. The development and use of educational aids and ASMPs based on the guideline recommendations were useful and encouraged patient participation in decision making regarding their care. The fourth objective, specific to asthma care, addressed by means of a survey and showed that even though the majority of asthma patients participated in decisions regarding their asthma and felt satisfied with the quality of care they received, the prevalence of smoking among asthma patients was high and opportunities for smoking cessation counselling were missed. Even though documentation of peak flow recordings and patients’ knowledge of the difference between the reliever and controller MDIs were good, patients’ perceptions with regard to education on the inhaler technique, the assessment of the level of control, the issue of written information regarding asthma and the use of ASMPs remained poor and could be improved. With regard to EBP and asthma guideline implementation in PHC: The fifth objective of the study was addressed by means of a survey which showed that the doctors in PHC used evidence in clinical decision making and agreed on the usefulness and importance of EBP in improving the quality of patient care in South Africa. There was a difference in the engagement with activities related to EBP between the public and private sector PHC doctors and there is a need for formal training in the skills and processes of EBP. The sixth objective was addressed by means of a survey which showed that a good proportion of both public and private sector doctors in the Cape Town metropole were well aware of the asthma guideline, had used the guideline and had adopted, acted on and adhered to specific guideline recommendations. There was a high level of general awareness of the asthma guideline and recommendations were being adopted in practice, although the lack of formal disease registers, monitoring and evaluation of asthma care and the utilisation of an ASMP could be improved on. The seventh objective was addressed by qualitative research which showed how the views and perspectives of FPs regarding EBP and the process of guideline implementation contributed to the development of a conceptual framework for the process of guideline implementation. The eighth objective was addressed by qualitative research, which identified barriers present in each step of the implementation process. Time constraints, practitioner workload, lack of financial resources, lack of ownership, the lack of timeous organisational support and practitioner resistance to change were important barriers to guideline implementation in an already overburdened PHC setting. A conceptual model was developed which showed that the process of guideline implementation should be tailored to the barriers identified. The ninth objective was addressed by means of a survey which showed that the concept of EBP was fairly new to CNPs in PHC and identified a need to learn more about it. CNPs agreed that clinical research evidence is useful in the daily management of patients, that their decision making is based on evidence, that evidence-based nursing can improve the quality of patient care, that there is a place for evidence-based nursing in their practices at their respective CHCs, that EBP will make a difference in the quality of care of their patients and that evidence-based nursing practice has an important role to play in South Africa. Although the awareness of CNPs with regard to the asthma guideline was poor, the vast majority reported that they personally educated patients on the difference between reliever and controller MDIs, recorded the smoking status of patients in the records, demonstrated the inhaler technique to all their asthma patients, assessed the level of control and agreed that inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in patients with chronic persistent asthma. However only a small minority (mainly at the CHCs where action research occurred) started issuing patients with ASMPs. In answering the central question: “How can the process of implementation of clinical research evidence, using the example of the national evidence-based guideline on asthma, be improved in the PHC sector in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole?”, this thesis concludes that the process of guideline implementation can be improved in the PHC sector by an in depth understanding and systematic approach to the whole process. A conceptual framework is provided as a model which attempts to guide and make sense of this process of guideline implementation. A stepwise approach is presented and provides a summary of the main research findings. The model shows that the initial process of evidence creation should not only deal with research evidence of high quality, but should incorporate research evidence that is relevant to the particular context of care. In addition the model shows that guideline development should be inclusive and involve a wider spectrum of stakeholders as well as patients; that guideline contextualisation, dissemination and implementation should be carefully planned. Special consideration should be given to local decision making about adoption or prioritisation of specific recommendations as part of ongoing quality improvement cycles and the conversion of published guidelines into practical tools for practitioners to use in consultation, prior to dissemination. Implementation should anticipate that members of the PHC staff will differ in their readiness to change and that strategies should consciously embrace principles of behaviour change and build up a sense of ownership, choice and control over local adoption of the guidelines. Academic centres, such as universities and professional bodies, have a role to play in identifying, appraising and synthesising the evidence, and giving input into guideline development. They can also assist by innovating and evaluating practical tools as part of the contextualisation stage and by providing continuing education during implementation as part of their social responsibility. The health care organisation (HCO) should prevent unnecessary delays in guideline implementation by ensuring that policy, resources and recommendations are aligned during the contextualisation stage; that barriers encountered should be dealt with throughout the entire process, and that ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the quality of care occurs. Conclusion This research used different methods and innovative PAR to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. A new conceptual model for guideline implementation is recommended for use to assist with implementation and knowledge translation in PHC locally, nationally and in similar Low Middle Income Countries (LMIC) in Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond ‘n Behoefte om kliniese navorsingsbewyse in die praktyk te benut, is by primêre – sorg praktisyns geïdentifiseer en word goed beskryf. Daar bestaan egter steeds ‘n gaping tussen bewyse en die praktyk in primêre gesondheidsorg. Alhoewel getoon kon word dat kliniese praktykriglyne die kwaliteit van kliniese praktyk verbeter, en poog om die gaping tussen bewys en praktyk te oorbrug, is praktisyns dikwels nie bewus van praktykriglyne nie, en faal daarin om toegang te verkry tot bewysgebaseerde aanbevelings wat daarin vervat is, asook om dit aan te neem en na te kom. Sentrale vraag Hoe kan die implementering van kliniese navorsingbewyse, deur die voorbeeld van nasionale bewysgebaseerde riglyne oor asma te gebruik, verbeter word in die primêre gesondheidsorgsektor in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool? Doel Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die implementering van kliniese navorsingbewyse in die primêre gesondheidsorg te verbeter, deur te leer vanuit die spesifieke voorbeeld van die nasionale bewysgebaseerde asmariglyne in die primêre gesondheidsorgpraktyk in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad - metropool, en om aanbevelings aan sleutel – rolspelers te maak aangaande die toekomstige implementering van bewysgebaseerde riglyne. Doelwitte  Om insig te verkry in die huidige kwaliteit van asmasorg in die primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool.  Om vas te stel of die implementeringsproses van die nuwe asmariglyne bygedra het tot ‘n verbetering in die kwaliteit van sorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel.  Om maniere te verken om die implementeringsproses van die nasionale asmariglyne in die primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel te verbeter.  Om insig te verkry in die opvattings, houding en kennis van asmatiese pasiënte met betrekking tot hul asma – bestuur.  Om te verken hoe bewysgebaseerde praktyk verstaan en deur dokters in primêre gesondheidsorg toegepas word.  Om te verstaan hoe primêre gesondheidsorgdokters in die openbare - en privaatgesondheidsektore toegang tot, en die toepassing van riglyne verkry.  Om die ervaringe, perspektiewe en begrip van gesinspraktisyns (akademies, privaat en openbare sektor) met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, en die implementering van riglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg, te verken.  Om insig te verkry in die begrip van gesinspraktisyns met betrekking tot die probleme wat waargeneem is, hoofhindernisse tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, asook hul persepsies van die proses van riglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg.  Om insig te verkry in die kennis, persepsies en houding van kliniese verpleegpraktisyns in die openbare sektor, met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en die proses van riglyn – implementering. Metodologie Hierdie studie is uitgevoer in die primêre gesondheidsorg - instellings van die Kaapstad – metropool. Hierdie navorsing is in drie fases uitgevoer, en het deursnee – ondersoeke, kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse, kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes soos onderhoude met gesinspraktisyns, en deelnemende aksienavorsing gebruik. Fase 1 het ‘n deursnee – ondersoek behels oor die kennis, bewusmaking en perspektiewe van dokters met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en riglyn – implementering , deur die nasionale bewysgebaseerde asmariglyne te gebruik wat in 2007 gepubliseer is. Dit het ook kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse behels wat oor ‘n tydperk van vyf jaar uitgevoer is, om die basislyn – kwaliteit van asmasorg in die primêre gesondheidsorg te assesseer, en om die verbetering in asmasorg te evalueer as ‘n uitvloesel van die kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse en geassosieerde opvoedkundige werkswinkels. Fase 2 het onderhoude behels met gesinspraktisyns in akademia, sowel as in die privaat - en openbare gesondheidsorgsektore wat verantwoordelik was vir kliniese staatsbestuur in primêre gesondheidsorg in die Kaapstad – metropool. Gedurende hierdie fase van die navorsing was die ervaringe, perspektiewe en begrip van gesinspraktisyns (akademia, privaat – en openbare sektor) met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, en die implementering van riglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg, verken. Fase 3 het deelnemende aksienavorsing met primêre sorg – praktisyns by gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums behels, deur ‘n koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep te gebruik om die asmariglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg te verbeter. Die koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep het ondersoek ingestel hoe om die implementering van die asma – riglyne in hul onderskeie gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums te verbeter, en het vier siklusse van beplanning – aksie – observasie – refleksie voltooi. Die vier siklusse het gefokus op die implementering van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan, die bekwaamheid van kliniese verpleegpraktisyns om die riglyne te implementeer te verken, die persepsies van pasiënte oor hul asmasorg te verken, en die implementering van beter pasiënt – opvoeding. ‘n Finale konsensus van die koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep se studie was toe opgestel. Resultate Met betrekking tot gehalteverbetering van asmasorg in primêre gesondheidsorg: Die eerste doelwit van die studie is hoofsaaklik aangespreek deur die basislyn – oudit wat in 2007 en 2008 uitgevoer is. Dit het getoon dat die basislynkwaliteit van asmasorg, met spesifieke verwysing na die assessering van pasiënte se vlak van beheer, meting van die pasiënt se piek ekspiratoriese vloeitempo, assessering van die pasiënt se inhaleringstegniek, optekening van die pasiënt se rookstatus, die voldoende voorskryf van reguleerder - en verligter gemeterde dosis inhaleerderhervullers tydens besoeke, en veral die verskaffing van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan tydens besoeke, swak was. Die tweede doelwit is aangespreek deur die jaarlikse ouditte wat uitgevoer is in 2007, 2008, 2010 en 2011 gedurende die periode van implementering. Dit toon dat, hoewel duidelike oorsaak en effek – argumentering nie afgelei kan word nie, algehele statisties en klinies - beduidende verbeterings in die kwaliteit van sorg voorgekom het, in samewerking met die proses van asmariglyn – implementering. Ten spyte van die verbetering in strukturele – en proseskriteria, was daar geen ooreenstemmende verbetering in die uitkomskriteria nie. In werklikheid het die benutting van fasiliteite vir noodbesoeke aansienlik verhoog, terwyl die hospitalisasie van pasiënte konstant gebly het. Die derde objektief was om maniere te verken om die implementeringsproses van die nasionale asmariglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel te verbeter. Dit was hoofsaaklik aangespreek deur ‘n aksienavorsingproses by geselekteerde gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums. Dit het getoon dat implementering verbeter kon word deur deurlopende opvoedkundige ondersteuning en formele interaktiewe opleidingswerkswinkels met die personeellede wat direk betrokke was met die pasiënte. Die ontwikkeling en gebruik van opvoedkundige hulpmiddels, en asma - selfbestuurplanne gebaseer op die riglyn – aanbevelings was nuttig, en het pasiëntdeelname in besluitneming rakende hul sorg, aangemoedig. Die vierde doelwit, spesifiek met betrekking tot asmasorg, is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname. Dit het getoon dat, alhoewel die meerderheid van asma – pasiënte deelgeneem het aan besluite rakende hul asma, en tevrede was met die kwaliteit van sorg wat hulle ontvang het, die voorkoms van rook onder asma – pasiënte hoog was, en geleenthede vir rookstaking – berading was gemis. Alhoewel dokumentasie van piekvloei – opnames en pasiënte se kennis van die verskil tussen die verligter en kontroleerder - gemeterde dosis inhaleerders goed was, was pasiënte se persepsies met betrekking tot opvoeding in die inhaleringstegniek, die assessering van die vlak van beheer, die uitreiking van geskrewe inligting ten opsigte van asma, en die gebruik van asma – selfbestuurplanne steeds swak en kon dit verbeter word. Met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en asmariglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg: Die vyfde doelwit van die studie is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat die dokters in primêre gesondheidsorg bewyse in kliniese besluitneming gebruik het, en saamgestem het met die nuttigheid en belangrikheid van bewysgebaseerde praktyk in die verbetering van die kwaliteit van pasiëntsorg in Suid – Afrika. Daar was ‘n verskil in omgang met aktiwiteite wat verband hou met bewysgebaseerde praktyke tussen die openbare – en privaatsektordokters. Daar is dus ‘n behoefte aan formele opleiding in die vaardighede en prosesse van bewysgebaseerde praktyke. Die sesde doelwit is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat ‘n goeie proporsie van beide openbare en privaatsektordokters in die Kaapstad- metropool wel bewus was van die asmariglyn en het spesifieke riglyn – aanbevelings aangeneem, daarop gereageer en nagekom. Daar was ‘n hoë vlak van algemene bewustheid van die asmariglyn, en aanbevelings was aangeneem in die praktyk, alhoewel daar verbeter kon word op die gebrek aan formele siekteregisters, monitering en evaluering van asmasorg, en die benutting van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan. Die sewende doelwit is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing wat getoon het hoe die persepsies en perspektiewe van gesinspraktisyns ten opsigte van bewysgebaseerde praktyk en die proses van riglyn – implementering bygedra het tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n konseptuele raamwerk vir die proses van riglyn – implementering. Die agste doelwit is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing, wat hindernisse in elke stap van die implementeringsproses identifiseer het. Tydbeperkings, praktisynswerklading, gebrek aan finansiële hulpbronne, gebrek aan eienaarskap, die gebrek aan tydige organisasie – ondersteuning en praktisynsweerstand ten opsigte van verandering, was belangrike hindernisse in riglyn – implementering in ‘n reeds oorlaaide primêre sorg – omgewing. ‘n Konseptuele model is ontwikkel wat getoon het dat die proses van riglyn – implementering aangepas moet word by die geïdentifiseerde hindernisse. Die negende doelwit is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat die konsep van bewysgebaseerde praktyk betreklik nuut was vir kliniese verpleegpraktisyns in primêre gesondheidsorg, en het ‘n behoefte geïdentifiseer om meer hieroor te leer. Kliniese verpleegpraktisyns het saamgestem dat kliniese navorsing nuttig is in die daaglikse bestuur van pasiënte, dat hul besluitneming gebaseer moet wees op bewyse, dat bewysgebaseerde verpleging die kwaliteit van pasiëntsorg kan verbeter, dat daar ‘n plek is vir bewysgebaseerde verpleging in hul praktyke by hul onderskeie gemeenskap-gesondheidsentrums, dat bewysgebaseerde praktyk ‘n verskil sal maak in die kwaliteit van sorg van hul pasiënte, en dat bewysgebaseerde verpleegpraktyk ‘n belangrike rol kan speel in Suid – Afrika. Alhoewel die bewustheid onder kliniese verpleegpraktisyns met betrekking tot die asmariglyne swak was, het die oorgrote meerderheid verslag gegee dat hulle die pasiënte persoonlik opgevoed het oor die verskil tussen verligting – en beheerder gemeterde dosis - inhaleerders, die rookstatus van pasiënte in die verslae opgeteken het, die inhaleringstegniek aan al hul pasiënte gedemonstreer het, die vlak van beheer geassesseer het, en saamgestem dat geïnhaleerde kortikosteroïede die staatmaker van behandeling is in pasiënte met chroniese, aanhoudende asma. Slegs ‘n klein minderheid (hoofsaaklik by die gemeenskap – gesondheidsentrums waar aksienavorsing geskied) het egter begin om pasiënte van asma – selfbestuurplanne te voorsien. In die beantwoording van die sentrale vraag: “Hoe kan die proses van implementering van kliniese navorsingsbewyse, deur die voorbeeld van die nasionale bewysgebaseerde riglyne oor asma, verbeter word in die primêre gesondheidsorgsektor in die Metropooldistrik - gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool?”, kom hierdie tesis tot die gevolgtrekking dat die proses van riglyn – implementering in die primêre gesondheidsorg verbeter kan word deur ‘n in – diepte begrip en sistematiese benadering tot die hele proses. ‘n Konseptuele raamwerk word voorsien as ‘n model wat poog om te lei en sin te maak van hierdie proses van riglyn – implementering. ‘n Stapsgewyse benadering word aangebied en verskaf ‘n opsomming van die hoof – navorsingbevindinge. Die model toon dat die aanvanklike proses van bewyse – skepping nie slegs navorsingbewyse van hoë kwaliteit moet oorweeg nie, maar navorsingbewyse moet inkorporeer wat relevant is tot die bepaalde konteks van sorg. Boonop toon die model dat riglyn – ontwikkeling inklusief behoort te wees, en behels dit ‘n wyer spektrum van rolspelers sowel as pasiënte; dat riglyn – kontekstualisering, verspreiding en implementering versigtig beplan behoort te word. Spesiale oorweging moet gegee word aan plaaslike besluitneming oor die aanneming of prioritisering van spesifieke aanbevelings as deel van volgehoue kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse, en die omskakeling van gepubliseerde riglyne na praktiese hulpmiddels vir praktisyns om te gebruik in die konsultasiefase, alvorens verspreiding daarvan plaasvind. Implementering behoort te verwag dat lede van die primêre gesondheidsorg sal verskil in hul gereedheid om te verander, en dat strategieë doelbewus die beginsels van gedragsverandering sal insluit en ‘n gevoel kweek van eienaarskap, keuse en beheer oor plaaslike aanneming van die riglyne. Akademiese sentrums, soos universiteite en professionele liggame, het ‘n rol om te speel in die identifisering, gehalteversekering en sintetisering van die bewyse, en om insette te lewer in die riglyn - ontwikkeling. Hulle kan ook behulpsaam wees deur praktiese hulpmiddels te innoveer en te evalueer as deel van die kontekstualiseringfase, en om deurlopende opvoeding te verskaf gedurende implementering as deel van hul sosiale verantwoordelikheid. Die gesondheidsorg – organisasies moet onnodige vertragings in riglyn – implementering voorkom deur te verseker dat beleid, bronne en aanbevelings in lyn is gedurende die kontekstualiseringsfase; dat hindernisse wat teëgekom word, regdeur die hele proses hanteer word, en dat volgehoue monitering en evaluering van kwaliteitsorg plaasvind. Gevolgtrekking Hierdie navorsing het van verskillende metodes en innoverende deelnemende aksienavorsing gebruik gemaak om die gaping tussen bewyse en praktyk te sluit. ‘n Nuwe konseptuele model vir riglyn – implementering word aanbeveel vir gebruik om behulpsaam te wees met die implementering en kennis -translasie in primêre gesondheidsorg plaaslik, nasionaal en in soortgelyke lae - en middel - inkomstelande in Afrika.

In this dissertation, we base our experience of carrying out participation in 4 EU-funded projects: EUROFETUS (Cost-Effectiveness of ultrasound screening for congenital anomalies); MOMS-B (MOther Mortality and Severe morbidity); PERISTAT(Monitoring and evaluating perinatal health) and EUPHRATES (EUropean Project on obstetric Haemorrhage Reduction: Attitudes, Trial, and Early warning System), an online questionnaire survey for researchers and a literature review, to provide results which will help us to understand the added value and the challenges of the EU collaboration research and the challenges of EU collaboration research in improving the quality and the accessibility of reproductive healthcare. The EUROFETUS project showed that, despite the fact that the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies has been declining during the last twenty years, they are still a major cause of perinatal mortality and childhood disability in Europe. Congenital heart defects were among the most frequent and the most severe malformations, but were the least diagnosed prenatally. There was large variation between and within countries regarding the proportion of cases diagnosed prenatally and the proportion of cases resulting in termination of pregnancy. From the data available in Eurofetus, such variation might result from the cultural differences underling policy or on ultrasonographer’s expertise, or on differing interpretation of scientific evidence in the design and implementation of screening. The MOMS-B project allowed population-based comparisons between countries by using the standardised definition that showed the three conditions (pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis) selected to as markers of acute severe maternal morbidity are not rare in Europe. Severe haemorrhage was the most common of severe maternal morbidity condition, but its incidence varied widely between European countries. The PERISTAT project on the indicators of unfavourable maternal health outcome showed that the maternal mortality ratios (per 100, 000 live births) for early obstetric death ranged from 2.8 to 11.4 across European countries studied. Such variation reflected different resources and systems in place with varying level of ascertainment in addition to difference in the number of maternal deaths. The EUPHRATES project on a survey of current practice in relation to management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in 14 European countries showed that there were considerable differences in policies for managing the third stage of labour between and within the countries studied. The online questionnaire survey for researchers showed that almost all researchers were satisfied with their participation in EU-funded project; the main benefits for them were transfer and sharing of experience and knowledge between researchers, but the administrative procedures should be simplified in the future. The description of the process needed to obtain ethical approval for a cluster randomized trial in the EUPHRATES project showed that there was considerable variation in time required and the criteria used amongst 14 European countries, with consequential delay in research and exclusion of one country from the trial. Overall, we conclude that Community Framework programmes offer new opportunities to connect researchers from all over Europe to share expertise and resources, including computing tools, and make a real contribution to the creation of the European research area. The added value of EU collaborative research is particularly well positioned for improving foetal and maternal health, from the perspective of harmonizing case definitions, collecting the necessary number of cases within a limited period of time, comparing data between regions and countries, meeting the specific needs of the EU and giving a common response to European reproductive health questions. On the other hand, epidemiological data from multiple countries has advanced our understanding of important health-risks and their geographical distributions across Europe and provided the evidence to help people make better decisions about healthcare in the field of reproductive health for the future research. We focus on reproductive health but believe that this approach could be adapted to other fields when appropriate./Dans cette thèse, nous avons basé notre expérience sur notre participation dans 4 projets européens (EUROFETUS, MOMS-B, PERISTAT et EUPHRATES), un questionnaire en ligne vers les chercheurs, et une revue de la littérature pour fournir les résultats qui nous aideront à comprendre la valeur ajoutée qu’apporte la recherche collaborative et les défis de cette recherche pour l’amélioration de la qualité et de l’accessibilité de la santé reproductive. Le projet EUROFETUS montre que, en dépit du fait que la prévalence des anomalies congénitales à la naissance diminue depuis une vingtaine d’années, elles restent une cause majeure de mortalité périnatale et de handicaps infantiles. Les malformations cardiaques congénitales sont parmi les plus fréquentes et les plus sévères des malformations, mais aussi les moins diagnostiquées. Il y a de larges différences entre et à l’intérieur des pays concernant la proportion de cas diagnostiqués en prénatal et la proportion de cas résultant en interruption de grossesse. D’après les données disponibles dans EUROFETUS, de telles variations pourraient résulter de politiques de santé différentes, reflétant des divergences culturelles, de variations dans l’expertise des échographistes, ou encore d’interprétations divergentes de preuves scientifiques dans la conception ou la mise en place du screening. Le projet collaboratif européen sur la Mortalité et la Morbidité Maternelle sévère (MOMB-B) a permis des comparaisons en population entre pays en utilisant une définition standardisée qui a montré que les trois pathologies sélectionnées (pré-éclampsie, hémorragie, sepsis) comme marqueurs de la morbidité maternelle sévère n’étaient pas rares en Europe. L’hémorragie sévère était la pathologie la plus fréquente, mais son incidence variait très fort d’un pays à l’autre. The PERISTAT project on the indicators of unfavourable maternal health outcome showed that the maternal mortality ratios (per 100, 000 live births) for early obstetric death ranged from 2.8 to 11.4 across European countries studied. Such variation reflected different resources and systems in place with varying level of ascertainment in addition to difference in the number of maternal deaths. Le projet EUPHRATES, par une enquête de pratique concernant le management de la troisième phase du travail et du management immédiat de l’hémorragie du postpartum dans 14 pays européens, a montré qu’il y avait des différences considérables dans les pratiques entre et à l’intérieur des pays en Europe. Le questionnaire en ligne auprès des chercheurs a montré que la plupart étaient satisfaits de leur participation à des projets européens, les principaux bénéfices étaient le transfert et le partage d’expériences et de connaissances entre chercheurs mais que les procédures administratives devraient être simplifiées dans le futur. La description de l’utilisation des comités d’éthique dans l’essai EUPHRATES a montré de très grandes divergences. En général, nous concluons que les programmes-cadres européens offrent de nouvelles opportunités aux chercheurs européens de partager l’expertise et les moyens, en ce compris les outils informatiques et contribuent à la création d’un espace européen de la recherche. La valeur ajoutée de la recherche collaborative est particulièrement importante pour améliorer la santé fœtale et maternelle par l’harmonisation de la définition des cas, la collecte du nombre nécessaire de cas dans une période déterminée, la comparaison des données entre les régions et pays, pour rencontrer les besoins spécifiques de l’Union Européenne et donner une réponse commune aux questions de santé reproductive en Europe. D’autre part, les données épidémiologiques de nombreux pays ont fait avancer notre compréhension de risques importants de santé maternelle et leur distribution géographique à travers l’Europe et apporté la preuve de la nécessité d’aider les gens à prendre la meilleure décision en ce qui concerne les soins en santé reproductive pour de futures recherches. Nous nous sommes concentrés sur la santé reproductive mais nous croyons que cette approche pourrait être adaptée à d’autres domaines.

Submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background: Neck pain is an extremely common condition and the treatment of neck pain forms an integral part of chiropractic practice. The optimal treatment of neck pain is provided when practitioners incorporate available evidence, experience, and knowledge regarding the clinical presentation of the patient into their treatment regimes. Current evidence suggests that a combination of manual therapy, specifically manipulation and/or mobilization, and rehabilitation may offer the optimum treatment for mechanical neck pain. However, numerous factors other than available evidence, experience and clinical presentation may influence treatment choices made by practitioners. Through the assessment of practice patterns, one may asses if the optimal treatment for a neck pain is being provided by practitioners and assess if factors specific to a practitioner may influence the treatment of neck pain. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the chiropractic treatment and management of mechanical neck pain, to compare this to evidence based recommendations for the conservative treatment of mechanical neck pain and to assess if factors other than the available evidence may influence the treatment of mechanical neck pain. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey compiled using available literature and validated by means of a focus group and pilot testing, was administered to chiropractors practicing in KwaZulu-Natal. Upon completion of the questionnaire, the data was coded into an Excel spread sheet and imported into IBM SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis. This research protocol was approved by the Durban University of Technology Institutional Research Ethics Committee (REC 82/13) and the study took place from March to July 2014. Results: Ninety-six practitioners responded to the study which is a response rate of greater than 70%. Practitioners favoured the use of spinal manipulation, auxiliary therapeutic techniques (specifically those which were manual in nature), rehabilitation, and numerous forms of education. Specific variations in treatment pattern existed when comparing various patient presentations indicating that practitioner based factors impacted on treatment choices made by practitioners. The most significant findings included the increased utilisation of auxiliary therapeutic techniques by female practitioners, the increased utilisation of traction by practitioners identifying with the straight philosophy of chiropractic. Other significant findings included the increased utilisation of cervical collars by practitioners of increased age and experience and the increased utilisation of auxiliary therapeutic techniques by practitioners who did not attend health related conferences at least once every second year or did not attend short courses or subscribe to journals or magazines since qualification. Conclusions: This study indicates that treatment for mechanical neck pain offered by chiropractors in KwaZulu-Natal is in line with current evidence based recommendations for the treatment of mechanical neck pain, with practitioners commonly using modalities which were recommended, whilst rarely using modalities which were not recommended. The use of rehabilitation was, however, slightly lower than expected. Patient presentation and practitioner based factors were found to influence the treatment of mechanical neck pain; however, as a whole these variations were small with the majority of practitioners favouring the use of modalities which were recommended within the literature. Future studies should address the gap in the literature regarding the conservative treatment of cervical radiculopathy. / M

A pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) é uma infecção freqüente nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), acarretando aumento no período de hospitalização, nos índices de morbimortalidade e com repercussão significativa nos custos. A implementação de medidas específicas para a prevenção da PAVM é baseada em diretrizes para a prática clínica, elaboradas por órgãos governamentais e associações de especialistas. Nesse sentido, é importante destacar a necessidade de atualização permanente dos profissionais da saúde. Frente ao exposto, objetivouse avaliar e descrever as evidências científicas disponíveis sobre as práticas de prevenção da PAVM, em pacientes adultos, hospitalizados em UTI. A prática baseada em evidências representou o referencial teórico-metodológico. E, para a obtenção das evidências de Níveis I e II, publicadas posteriormente à diretriz do CDC, realizou-se a revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL e Biblioteca Cochrane. Totalizou-se 23 publicações, agrupadas nas categorias temáticas: 5 (22%) higienização bucal, 7 (30%) aspiração de secreções, 5 (22%) umidificação das vias aéreas, 3 (13%) posicionamento do paciente e 3 (13%) diretrizes para a prática clínica. O uso da clorexidina na higienização bucal de pacientes sob ventilação mecânica diminuiu a colonização da orofaringe, o que pode reduzir a incidência de PAVM. Em adição, a aspiração da secreção subglótica e a terapia cinética mostraram-se medidas eficazes na prevenção da PAVM. Por outro lado, o uso do sistema fechado para a aspiração endotraqueal, a umidificação das vias aéreas com o dispositivo HME (heat and moisture exchanger), o controle da pressão do balonete do tubo endotraqueal, bem como, o posicionamento semirecumbente do paciente não apresentaram impacto na prevenção da PAVM e configuram como questões controversas. Assim, outras pesquisas são necessárias, especialmente, para elucidar questionamentos e implementar novas tecnologias acerca das medidas de prevenção da PAVM, o que sem dúvida repercutirá na qualidade da assistência de pacientes submetidos à ventilação mecânica. / Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infection in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which leads to a longer period of hospitalization, higher rates of morbidmortality and a significant repercussion on the costs. The implementation of specific measures to prevent VAP is based on clinical practice guidelines elaborated by governmental organizations and expert committees. Thus, it is important to stand out the permanent actualization of health care professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and describe the available scientifical evidences on VAP prevention practices in adult patients hospitalized in the ICU. The evidence based practice represented the theoretical-methodological reference. And, to obtain the evidences Levels I and II, published after the CDC guideline, an integrative review of the literature of MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases was realized. A total of 23 publishing grouped in categories: 5 (22%) oral hygiene, 7 (30%) aspiration of secretions, 5 (22%) airways moisturizing, 3 (13%) patient positioning and 3 (13%) clinical practice guidelines. The use of chlorhexidine in the oral hygiene of the mechanical ventilated patients decreased the oropharyngeal colonization, which may decrease VAP incidence. Besides, the subglottic secretions drainage and the kinetic therapy proved to be efficient on VAP prevention. However, the use of the closed system to the endotracheal aspiration, moisturizing the airways with HME (heat and moisture exchanger), the control of the pressure of the endotracheal tube cuff as well as the semirecumbent positioning of the patient, did not present any impact on the VAP prevention and are controversial matters. Thus, further researches are required mainly to clarify some questions and implement new technologies on measures to prevent VAP, which will certainly reflect on the quality of the assistance given to patients on mechanical ventilation.