Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum
Published on: March 12, 2018
Reducing Ventilator-Associated Events: A Quality Improvement Project
Laura M Sherburne1, Jessica L Poehler2, Jolene M Tietz3
1Laura M. Sherburne is a clinical resource nurse in a medical-surgical unit, Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Minnesota Region, Mankato, Minnesota.
Background:
Mechanical ventilation is lifesaving therapy in intensive care units but can increase patients' risk for ventilator-associated events. These events are associated with longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, more ventilator days, and increased mortality rates.
Local Problem:
To meet internal and national benchmarks, the number of ventilator-associated events in a 15-bed intensive care unit needed to be decreased.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary team used the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control framework in this quality improvement project at a community hospital. Evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated events were incorporated into interventions, which included discussion of ventilator settings in daily rounds, additional evening rounds, and staff education. The team reinforced education, defined roles in the care of patients receiving mechanical ventilation, and implemented communication strategies between departments. Preimplementation data from the calendar year 2018 were compared with postimplementation data from the calendar year 2019.
Results:
The ventilator-associated event incidence rate decreased from 25.58 per 1000 ventilator days in 2018 to 5.29 per 1000 ventilator days in the third quarter of 2019. The goal rate (≤ 18.00 events per 1000 ventilator days) was sustained for the year 2019.
Discussion:
The lower rates of ventilator-associated events met internal and national benchmarks after the implementation of interventions. Safety was enhanced for patients who may have had unexpected outcomes related to a ventilator-associated event.
Conclusions:
The creation and implementation of clear, specific communication and processes for successfully managing patients receiving mechanical ventilation decreased the rate of ventilator-associated events.
Insights
Implementing enhanced communication and care protocols significantly reduced ventilator-associated events (VAEs) in an ICU. This quality improvement initiative improved patient safety and met national benchmarks for VAE reduction.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Quality Improvement Science
- Patient Safety Research
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation, while life-saving, increases the risk of ventilator-associated events (VAEs).
- VAEs are linked to prolonged ICU stays, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs.
- Reducing VAEs is crucial for meeting institutional and national healthcare quality benchmarks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To decrease the incidence of ventilator-associated events (VAEs) in a 15-bed intensive care unit (ICU).
- To achieve internal and national benchmarks for VAE reduction through a targeted quality improvement project.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary team utilized the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) framework.
- Interventions included evidence-based guidelines, daily and evening rounds focusing on ventilator settings, and enhanced staff education.
- Clear communication strategies and defined roles in mechanical ventilation care were implemented.
Main Results:
- The VAE incidence rate dropped from 25.58 per 1000 ventilator days in 2018 to 5.29 per 1000 ventilator days by Q3 2019.
- The goal rate of ≤18.00 VAEs per 1000 ventilator days was achieved and sustained throughout 2019.
- Significant reduction in VAEs met and exceeded established internal and national benchmarks.
Conclusions:
- Implementing structured communication and care processes effectively reduced VAE rates.
- The quality improvement project enhanced patient safety by minimizing VAE-related complications.
- The study demonstrates the success of a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to VAE prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
01:23Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...
01:29Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...