Ventilator-Associated Events (VAE)
Mechanical ventilation is an essential, life-saving therapy for patients with critical illness and respiratory failure. Patients who receive mechanical ventilation are at high risk for complications and poor outcomes including death. In Tennessee, ventilator-associated events (VAE) have been reportable to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) since January 1, 2016, from all adult inpatient locations within long-term acute care hospitals.
For detailed reporting requirements, please see the information provided below.
Which health care facilities need to report?
All long-term acute care facilities (LTACs) are required to report VAEs.
Which units within these facilities must report information?
The following units are to provide the necessary information:
- All adult inpatient locations
What information must be reported?
Regarding numerator data, ventilator-associated events meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) case definition must be reported.
The following should be reported for denominator data:
- Patient days
- Ventilator days
How should the information be reported?
Those who report must use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) software application.
For more information see the following links.