Non–ventilator-associated pneumonia (NVAP) is highly relevant because it affects patients whose airway immune barriers are not compromised by devices. Despite this, incidence remains high. To analyze adherence to NVAP prevention measures across hospital sectors. Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative observational study in a public tertiary university hospital in Northern Paraná, including inpatient units, emergency departments, and post-anesthesia recovery room. Data were collected by infection control committee interns from March 2024 to June 2025 (morning/afternoon/night) using an institutional Google Forms® audit tool. A total of 2,211 observations were collected: 52.7% in the morning, 37.8% afternoon, 9.5% night. Head-of-bed elevation 30–45° was present in 81.6%. Oral hygiene three times daily was not performed in 56.2%. Respiratory physiotherapy was not performed in 31.3%, though 40.9% were “not applicable.” Early ambulation occurred in only 38.5%. Postoperative analgesia was not provided in 69.8%, despite 800–1,000 surgeries per month. In 47.4%, nebulizer mask or bag-valve-mask was protected. NVAP prevention measures were not satisfactorily performed, increasing infection risk. Head-of-bed elevation showed highest adherence as it requires less work. Measures requiring more team effort—oral hygiene, early ambulation, and postoperative analgesia—had lower adherence. Prevention measures must be reinforced in wards to improve patient safety and care quality.
Paula et al. (2026) studied this question.