During an outbreak of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the infection preventionist should FIRST:
Review adherence to ventilator bundle elements.
Implement preemptive antibiotic therapy in all ventilated patients.
Isolate all ventilated patients in negative pressure rooms.
Perform bacterial cultures from ventilator circuits.
Reviewing compliance with VAP prevention bundles (e.g., head-of-bed elevation, oral care, sedation breaks) is the first step in outbreak control.
Preemptive antibiotics (B) are not recommended due to antibiotic resistance risks.
Negative pressure rooms (C) are not required for VAP.
Ventilator circuit cultures (D) do not guide patient management.
CBIC Infection Control References:
APIC Text, "VAP Prevention Measures," Chapter 11.
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