Intermediate
Technical
IVT
pneumonia, ventilator-associated
Hospital-acquired pneumonia developing 48+ hours after endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Full Definition
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a type of healthcare-associated pneumonia that occurs in patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours. It represents one of the most common nosocomial infections in surgical ICUs and significantly increases morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Prevention strategies include head-of-bed elevation, oral care protocols, and sedation minimization.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as VAP but should be spelled out in formal documentation.
In Context
- "The patient developed ventilator-associated pneumonia on postoperative day 5." — progress note
- "Prevention bundles reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in our unit." — quality improvement report
Also known as
VAP
Don't confuse with
hospital-acquired pneumonia
aspiration pneumonia