The Role of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, and Laboratory Specialists in Managing Respiratory Infections in ICU Patients: Improving Outcomes in Severe Pneumonia Cases

Authors: Mansour Alotaibi, Manna T. Alshammari, Alanoud M. Alanazi, Rami H. Alkhalid, Zaid A. Alhussain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13879391

Short DOI: https://doi.org/g6k8tq

Country: Saudi Arabia

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Abstract: Background: Severe respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Effective management of these infections requires a multidisciplinary approach involving respiratory therapists (RTs), pharmacists, and laboratory specialists (LS). This study investigates how interdisciplinary collaboration among these professionals improves patient outcomes in ICU settings.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital ICU, analyzing 300 patients diagnosed with severe respiratory infections. Outcomes were compared between patients managed by an interdisciplinary team and those receiving traditional care. Primary outcomes included ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality rate, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence. Secondary outcomes focused on antibiotic stewardship, timeliness of diagnostic testing, and medication adjustments.

Results: Patients managed by the interdisciplinary team had significantly shorter ICU stays (12.4 vs. 16.2 days, p < 0.001), reduced mechanical ventilation duration (8.1 vs. 11.5 days, p < 0.001), lower mortality rates (16% vs. 28%, p = 0.008), and decreased VAP incidence (9% vs. 18%, p = 0.012). The interdisciplinary group also showed improved antibiotic stewardship, with 93% receiving appropriate therapy based on culture results (vs. 78%, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Interdisciplinary collaboration between RTs, pharmacists, and LS significantly improves outcomes for ICU patients with severe respiratory infections. This approach reduces ICU stays, ventilator days, mortality, and VAP incidence, highlighting the value of multidisciplinary care in critical settings.

Keywords: Interdisciplinary collaboration, respiratory infections, intensive care unit, pneumonia, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory specialists, ventilator-associated pneumonia, antibiotic stewardship.

Paper Id: 231272

Published On: 2016-07-01

Published In: Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August 2016

Cite This: The Role of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, and Laboratory Specialists in Managing Respiratory Infections in ICU Patients: Improving Outcomes in Severe Pneumonia Cases - Mansour Alotaibi, Manna T. Alshammari, Alanoud M. Alanazi, Rami H. Alkhalid, Zaid A. Alhussain - IJIRMPS Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August 2016. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13879391

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