What can I do to help prevent VAP?
•If you smoke, quit. Patients who smoke get more infections. If you are going to have surgery and will need to be on a ventilator, talk to your doctor before your surgery about how you can quit smoking.
•Family members can ask about raising the head of the bed.
•Family members can ask when the patient will be allowed to try breathing on his or her own•
Family members can ask doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to clean their hands.