Fig. 2: A simple, pragmatic ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) diagnostic algorithm.
From: Ventilator-associated pneumonia: pathobiological heterogeneity and diagnostic challenges
An algorithm for the diagnosis of VAP has been outlined; firstly, using clinical symptoms and features of infection and respiratory deterioration to inform initial suspicion in ventilated patients and to prompt completion of the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS). If uncertainty remains regarding the diagnosis of VAP due to missing data from the CPIS, clinicians are then prompted to complete sputum sampling and chest imaging using available methods to determine diagnosis. Antibiotic therapy is recommended on confirmed diagnosis of VAP.
