Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

Summary

VAP is a serious hospital-acquired condition that carries a substantial risk for death. Approximately 40,000 cases of VAP occur each year, and these cases are associated with about 6,000 deaths.

Goal: The Partnership for Patients estimates that 50 percent of VAP cases are preventable. The goal set for hospitals is to reduce preventable cases of VAP by 50 percent by 2013, preventing 17,500 cases of VAP.