Skip to main content

Table 1 Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) 4-item checklist

From: Antimicrobial prescription patterns and ventilator associated pneumonia: findings from a 10-site prospective audit

 

Item

Definition

1

PaO2/FiO2 ratioa ≤ 300 mmHg

Deterioration in gas exchange over last 24 h in the absence of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema or pulmonary disease

2

Sputum changes

A change in sputum characteristics, increased volume, or colour changes (yellow or green)

3

Chest X-ray infiltrates

New localised or diffuse infiltrates on a single Chest X-ray (not explained by cardiogenic pulmonary oedema or pulmonary disease)

4

Inflammatory response

≥ 1 of the following (in the absence of immunocompromise)

 

 a ↑ Temperature

New and persistent (last 24 h) elevated body temperature ≥ 38 °C (or > 37.5 °C if concurrent anti-pyretic medication administration)

 

 b WCC

White cell count ≤ 4 or ≥ 12 cells 109/L for 2 days

 

 c ↑ Inflammation

Elevated serum inflammatory markers: C-reactive Protein (> 100 mg/L) or Procalcitonin (> 2.5 ng/L) for a single blood test

  1. Three days after a patient is commenced on mechanical ventilation, are any of the following clinical items present?
  2. WCC white cell count
  3. aPaO2/FiO2 ratio: arterial oxygen tension divided by fraction of inspired oxygen