Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia (a serious lung infection) that can occur in patients, specifically those in Intensive Care Units (ICU) who need assistance breathing with a mechanical ventilator for at least 48 hours. Patients are at risk of acquiring VAP if they have been on a ventilator for more than 5 days, have been recently hospitalized, had prior use of antibiotics (within the last 90 days), had dialysis treatment in a clinic or resided in a nursing home.

Ontario hospitals are now required to post their quarterly rates and case counts of VAP cases that developed in the ICUs of each hospital site on their website.