Because there is no reliable definition for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the CDC convened a multidisciplinary group to develop a surveillance definition. The result is a tiered approach that focuses on ventilator-associated events (VAE). A ventilator-associated condition (VAC) is defined as worsening oxygenation after a period of stability or improvement on the ventilator. An infection-related ventilator-associated complication (IVAC) is associated with measures of body temperature, or white blood cell count, and initiation of a new antimicrobial agent. Assessment of respiratory secretions informs the definition of possible or probable VAP. The VAE definitions will detect a wide variety of complications in patients on mechanical ventilation. VAE surveillance will require close working relationships among respiratory therapists and infection prevention personnel. VAE prevention presents many opportunities for respiratory therapists. These include use of noninvasive ventilation, implementation of lung-protective ventilation strategies, ventilator discontinuation protocols, and VAP prevention strategies. 

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