Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

Expected Practice

All patients receiving mechanical ventilation, as well as those at high risk for aspiration (eg, decreased level of consciousness; enteral tube in place), should have the head of the bed (HOB) elevated at an angle of 30° to 45° unless medically contraindicated.^1-7 (Level VI)
Use an endotracheal tube (ET) with a dorsal lumen above the endotracheal cuff to allow drainage by continuous suctioning of tracheal secretions that accumulate in the subglottic area.^1,2,8-13 (Level VI)
Do not routinely change, on the basis of duration of use, the patient's ventilator circuit.^1,14-17 (Level VI)