Surveillance of ventilator-associated events and its utilization in intensive care units and general wards

Abstract

To reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) started the ventilator-associated events (VAEs) surveillance as “VAP surveillance” in adults, in 2013. VAE surveillance has advantages, in that its results have been shown to be correlated with the patients’ prognosis and it involves a simple evaluation process, that can potentially be computerized. On the other hand, it also has problems, including the differences in the results from those of “VAP surveillance,” ambiguous interpretation of the incidence, and influence of the method of ventilatory management on the results. VAE surveillance focuses not only on pneumonia, but also on other complications of ventilatory care. To introduce VAE surveillance, it is desirable to establish a system that would allow the ventilator settings to be adjusted according to the patient condition. After its introduction, general administration of ventilatory management is necessary. To utilize VAE surveillance, activities to reduce the incidence of VAP must be engaged in by persons responsible for infection control, in cooperation with various other relevant teams and professionals.