Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Why this measure is important:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital-acquired infection in pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICUs) nationally.
- Research has shown that children who acquire VAP in the hospital are at high risk of multiple serious complications.
How we measure:
Number of associated pneumonias per 1,000 ventilator days. Each day that the patient is on a ventilator counts as one ventilator day
Click here to view a larger version of the chart in PDF format.
What we are doing to improve:
- Implementing process changes, including placement of the head of the bed at a 30 degree angle which have been shown to help prevent VAP
- Exploring the use of new technology to improves care including the use of a specific type of ventilator tubing material which helps prevent the growth of bacteria
- Redesigning workspace around the bedside to improve the efficiency of care delivered to patients on mechanical ventilators
- Reviewing VAP occurrences and related data to identify ways for preventing future VAPs
View the Operational Definition: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
