Ventilator-associated pneumonia: improved clinical outcomes.

Nosocomial pneumonia is the second most costly infection occurring in US hospitals. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is considered one of the most difficult infections to diagnose and prevent. In 1999, St Joseph Hospital formed a multidisciplinary Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Performance Improvement Team to tackle the myriad of issues involved in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the care of this high-risk patient population. The accomplishments of the team were significant, with a 95% reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia.