Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is defined as a pneumonia (infection in the lungs) which occurs in patients who require mechanical breathing support (ventilator) in the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 48 hours.
VAP can develop in patients for many reasons. Because they are relying on an external machine to breath, their normal coughing, yawning, and deep breath reflexes are suppressed. Furthermore, they may have a depressed immune system, making them more vulnerable to infection. ICU teams have many ways to try to assist patients with these normal breathing reflexes, but despite this, patients are still at risk for developing pneumonia.
All hospitals with ICUs are required to report their VAP rates quarterly.
The VAP rate is calculated as follows:
total # of ICU cases of VAP after 48 hours of mechanical ventilation x 1000
total # of ventilator days for ICU patients 18 years and older
OSMH rates are presented below:
| Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Rate – Adult ICU |
| | 2008/09 Fiscal Year | 2009/2010 Fiscal Year |
| | 4th Quarter | Apr-June | July-Sept | Oct-Dec | Jan-Mar |
| OSMH Acquired | 0 | | | | |
| Vent Days | | | | | |
| OSMH Rate/1000 Vent Days | 0 | | | | |
| Provincial Rate/1000 Vent Days | N/A* | | | | |
*Data not available