Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the leading cause of death among hospital-acquired infections and substantially increases the likelihood of mortality for ventilated patients. It is believed that VAP contributes 6–30% of additional mortality to critically ill patients. Many of these poor outcomes result from systems failures that are preventable.
According to Muscedere et al. (2008), it is estimated that the prevention of one VAP could result in a minimum cost saving of $14,000 per patient. The number of adult cases of VAP is estimated to be 4,000 per year, resulting in approximately 230 deaths, 17,000 ICU days, and $46 million in healthcare costs.
We can make a difference.
Prevent VAP with VAP bundles, evidence-based practices that, when implemented together, should result in dramatic reductions in the incidence of VAP.
Adult VAP bundle:
Elevate the head of the bed.
Temporarily interrupt sedation and conduct a spontaneous breathing trial each day to assess readiness to extubate.
Use oral versus nasal tubes for access to the trachea or stomach.
Use endotracheal tubes with integrated port for continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions.
Pediatric VAP bundle:
Elevate the head of the bed.
Properly position oral or nasal gastric tubes.
Perform oral care.
Eliminate the routine use of instil for suctioning.
Download the Getting Started Kit to learn more.
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