Ventilator-associated pneumonia (
VAP) is a type of
lung infection that occurs in people who are on
breathing machines in hospitals. As such, VAP typically affects critically ill persons that are in an
intensive care unit (ICU). VAP is a major source of increased illness, and death. Persons with VAP have increased lengths of ICU hospitalization and have up to a 20-30
eath rate. The diagnosis of VAP varies among hospitals and providers but usually requires a new infiltrate on chest x-ray plus two or more other factors. These factors include temperature of >38 °C or <36 °C, a white blood cell count of >12 × 10
9/ml, purulent secretions from the airways in the lung, and/or reduction in gas exchange.