Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

What is ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia, or VAP, is a lung infection that a person can get while they are on a ventilator. A ventilator is a breathing machine that delivers oxygen to a patient through a tube that is placed in the mouth, nose, or through a hole in the front of the neck. Ventilators are often used in patients that are very ill or in patients undergoing certain kinds of surgery. Most ventilators are used in healthcare facilities, but some people may need them while receiving care at home.