Differentiating infectious and noninfectious ventilator-associated complications: A new challenge

Although diagnosis of VAEs remains challenging, our data indicate that clinical signs and symptoms of a VAE may be present up to 2 days before they screen positive. Sputum, fever, and oxygenation requirements all were indicative, but aggregate models failed to create a sensitive and specific model for differentiation of VAEs. The existing clinical tool, the CPIS, is also insufficiently sensitive and specific. Further research is needed to create a clinically viable tool for differentiating VAE types at the bedside.