More than 300,000 patients in the United States require mechanical ventilation as a life-saving therapy each year. Complications, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), are not uncommon. They can lead to increased length of stay, higher health care costs and an increased likelihood of readmission. VAP is one such complication, affecting as many as 20 percent of ICU patients who require a ventilator for more than 48 hours.
The prevention and reduction of health care-associated infections is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. WSHA is committed to guide, support and assist hospital quality leaders in implementing effective and sustainable practices in the prevention of all ventilator-associated events.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC), is a professional association of Infection Prevention. In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), APIC has developed a quick observation tool (QUOT) to allow facilities to assess routine care and practices for ventilators and ensure infection prevention practices and procedures are in place. The quick assessment tool is intended to identify, remedy and assist in infection prevention around ventilator management.
In addition to the Ventilator QUOT, APIC has developed several additional infection prevention observation tools that are free and downloadable. They can be found here:
Contact Tina Seery for more information on preventing ventilator-associated events. \
Contact Sandra Assasnik for more information on preventing HAIs.
