The optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is not known. Shortening the course of therapy may help decrease antibiotic resistance and adverse effects of giving prolonged antibiotics. This study looks to establish that mortality and recurrent infections do not increase by shortening the course of antibiotics for VAP treatment from 15 days to 8 days.

Some questions to consider while reviewing this article:

• Do you agree with the study design? Do the chosen outcome measures make sense?
• Is the study population comparable to the population we see in our own population?
• Are there potential downsides to reducing the number days of antibiotic treatment?
• Is the information presented likely to alter your management of patients with VAP in our ICU?