Table 1.

Definitions of VAP

	CDC National Healthcare Safety Network 54	American Thoracic Society and Infectious Disease Society of America2
Timeline	Pneumonia in persons who had a device to assist or control respiration continuously through a tracheostomy or by endotracheal intubation within the 48-hour period before the onset of infection, inclusive of the weaning period	Pneumonia that occurs more than 48- 72 hours after intubation
Clinical signs	Change in pulmonary secretions or impaired gas exchange and systemic signs of infection	Change in pulmonary secretions or impaired gas exchange and systemic signs of infection
Radiographic evidence	New or progressive opacities	New or progressive opacities
Microbiologic evidence	None required	None required