Abstract :
Nosocomial pneumonia is defined as pneumonia that occurs 48 hours or more after admission to the hospital. This study describes the role of physiotherapy for a sixty six years old bed ridden and critically ill patient who developed nosocomial pneumonia following multistage abdominal surgeries. The patient was referred to physiotherapy when she was mechanically ventilated following the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Physiotherapeutic interventions during the period of mechanical ventilation include postural drainage, chest percussion, vibration, manual hyperinflation, suctioning, strengthening of upper and lower limbs as well as mobilization which progressed from bedside sitting to independent standing. Post extubation active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT), positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy, incentive spirometry and diaphragmatic breathing exercises were incorporated in the treatment sessions along with progressive mobilization from standing and spot marching to independent walking in the hospital corridor. The breath sounds, ABG values, chest radiographs and Borg’s scale of Perceived Exertion during ambulation were used as the outcome measures for the patient and all the parameters showed significant improvement following interventions. We concluded that the morbidities associated with nosocomial pneumonia can be minimized and the functional recovery of the patients can be optimized with proper and timely application of the physiotherapy.
Keyword :
Nosocomial Pneumonia, Early mobilization, Chest physiotherapy, Physiotherapeutic interventions in ICU, Physiotherapy in abdominal surgeries.