Although The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals force many organizations to focus primarily on MRSA, central line–associated bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a high priority for anyone in the hospital setting.

Mortality rates alone force hospitals to take a critical look at prevention processes. VAP is the leading cause of death among hospital-acquired infections, according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Hospital mortality of patients already ventilated who develop VAP is 46%, compared to 32% for those who are ventilated and do not develop VAP.