Ventilator associated pneumonia is a problematic issue in intensive care unitsall over the world as it prolongs the
duration of mechanical ventilation, increases patients' length of stay in intensive care unit, and health care costs.
Ventilator associated pneumonia is reported to affect 5% –40% of mechanically ventilated patients. The estimated
attributable mortality of ventilator associated pneumonia is around 10%, with higher mortality rates among patientsin
surgical intensive care units. This literature review aims to present an overview summary of ventilator associated
pneumonia and its care bundleas well as general preventive measuresthat have been investigated in many studies,
highlight the integration of chlorhexidine in the care of critically ill patients and its effect on ventilator associated
pneumonia occurrence, discussendotracheal suctioning procedure and its role in the pathogenesisof ventilator associated
pneumonia, andfinally illustrate the role of the critical care nurse in prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia via
suctioning.