Overview

VAP (ventilator-associated pneumonia) is associated with prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), longer length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and increased healthcare costs. Hospitals and clinicians are under pressure from legislators and regulatory agencies to implement VAP-prevention strategies. Currently, legislators are considering requiring hospitals to publicly report VAP rates, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is considering adding VAP to the list of hospital-acquired conditions that are nonreimbursable.

Impact

Hospital-Acquired Infections

Ventilator-associated pneumonia accounts for 11 percent of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). In 2002, the estimated number of HAIs in U.S. hospitals was approximately 1.7 million and cost between $28 and $33 billion. The estimated deaths from HAIs in U.S. hospitals were 98,987; 35,967 of these infections were pneumonia.([FOOTNOTE=Klevens RM, Edwards JR, Richards CL, Jr., et al. Estimating health care-associated infections and deaths in U.S. hospitals, 2002. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(2):160-166.],[ANCHOR=View Abstract],[LINK=/content/covidien/websites/medtronic/com/en/covidien/support/clinical-evidence.html?id=805227]),([FOOTNOTE=Scott RD. The direct medical costs of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and the benefits of prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 2009. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/hai/scott_costpaper.pdf . Accessed October 21, 2013.],[ANCHOR=View Abstract],[LINK=/content/covidien/websites/medtronic/com/en/covidien/support/clinical-evidence.html?id=805210])

Product Training & Education Curriculum

Ventilator Academy

Access mechanical ventilator training and resources aimed at helping you operate our ventilators with more confidence and achieve better patient outcomes.