Endotracheal tubes coated with silver dramatically reduce infections from highly resistant bacteria, researchers report. Patients on ventilators breathe through a tube placed through their trachea and into the lung, and they are at risk for developing what is called ventilator-associated pneumonia. "Ventilator-associated pneumonia can be caused by a variety of pathogens," said lead researcher Dr. Andrew Shorr, from the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

Full story: medicinenet.com