Development of an RN Champion Model to Improve the Outcomes of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Healthcare-associated infections are costly. Methods to prevent infections must be effective and provide a return on investment to be sustainable. A funded project supported the design and implementation of a unique quality and safety model, using unit-based quality and safety RN champions. The goal was to create and sustain a hospital-wide safety culture focused on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by adopting the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's VAP bundle. The program began with a pilot in 7 ICUs. Using the RN champion model resulted in the reduction of the incidence of VAP, cost avoidance, and decreased length of stay. Six years later, each adult ICU reached "zero zone".