Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia shows how small improvements can help provide high-quality care.

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality in hospital intensive care units. But new strategies are emerging-including the use of "ventilator bundles"-to help hospitals push the rate of VAP down to zero. Lessons can be learned about stopping VAP morbidity and mortality that may provide useful strategies in other clinical areas outside the ICU.