Table 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s clinical surveillance definition for VAP
Radiologic criteria (two or more serial radiographs with at least one of the following) | 1. New or progressive and persistent infiltrate |
2. Consolidation | |
3. Cavitation | |
Systemic criteria (at least one) | 1. Fever (> 38 °C or > 100.4 °F) |
2. Leukopenia (< 4000 WBC/mm3) or leukocytosis (≥12,000 WBC/mm3) | |
3. For adults ≥70 years old, altered mental status with no other recognized cause | |
Pulmonary criteria (at least two) | 1. New onset of purulent sputum, or change in character of sputum, or increased respiratory secretions, or increased suctioning requirements |
2. Worsening gas exchange (e.g., desaturations, increased oxygen requirements, or increased ventilator demand | |
3. New onset or worsening cough, or dyspnea, or tachypnea | |
4. Rales or bronchial breath sounds |