OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyze the prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in Gansu Province in 2023 so as to provide scientific bases for formulating and optimizing prevention and control strategies for VAP in the health care institutions of the province.

METHODS The data regarding to VAP of 2023 were collected from the regional surveillance platform of Gansu Province Nosocomial Infection Management Quality Control Center. The influencing factors for the VAP were assessed by means of Poisson regression model.

RESULTS In 2023, the median incidence of VAP was 3.51‰ among the 93 hospitals in Gansu Province. There was significant difference in the incidence of VAP among the different regions, levels and types of hospitals (P < 0.05). The length of hospital stay and ventilator treatment duration of the tertiary hospitals were 3458(1904, 6770) days and 1 274(740, 2040)days, respectively, higher than those of the secondary hospitals; the incidence of VAP was 4.89(2.82, 7.40)‰ in the tertiary hospitals, higher than that in the secondary hospitals (all P < 0.05). The incidence of VAP of the general hospitals was 3.94 (2.66, 6.92)‰, higher than 2.06 (1.03, 3.27)‰ of the specialized hospitals (P < 0.001). With the respect to the regional factor, Qingyang City, Baiyin City, Dingxi City and Linxia City were at lower risk of VAP than Lanzhou City after the related factors were controlled through Poisson regression analysis (P < 0.05), while Zhangye City and Jiayuguan City were at higher risk of VAP (P < 0.05). The analysis of seasonal factors showed that the incidence of VAP presented seasonal fluctuation, the incidence of VAP was higher in the second and fourth quarters; however, there was no significant difference in the risk of VAP among the quarters.

CONCLUSIONS The incidence of VAP is decreased in Gansu Province in 2023 as compared with that in previous years, however, there is certain difference among the different regions. The incidence rates of VAP are relatively high in the tertiary hospitals and the general hospitals. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance in related areas and take active prevention and control measures, so as to reduce the incidence of VAP.