Table 13.2.

The ventilator associated events (VAE)

Ventilator associated complication (VAC)	At least one of the following indicators of worsening oxygenation following a sustained period of stability or improvement on the ventilator for ≥2 calendar days 1. Minimal daily FiO2 values increase ≥0.20 (20 points) over baseline & remain at or above that increased level for ≥2 calendar days 2. Minimum daily PEEP values increase ≥3 cm H2O over baseline or above that increased level for ≥2 calendar days
Infection related Ventilator associated complication (IVAC)	Patient has VAC and also fits both of the two following criteria: 1. Temperature greater than 38 C 2. or WBC >12,000 or <4000/mm3. 3.A new antimicrobial agent is started and is continued for 4 or more calendar days.
Possible VAP	Patients with IVAC and one of the following criteria is met: 1. Gram stain evidence of purulent respiratory secretions 2. Positive respiratory culture
Probable VAP	Patients with IVAC and Gram stain evidence of Purulent respiratory secretions plus quantitative or semiqualitative growth of a pathogenic organism beyond specified thresholds for ET aspirate: 106, Bronchoscopic or Mini BAL 105, PSB 103, or positive diagnostic test for Legionella spp., or positive diagnostic test on respiratory secretions for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus