Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) Preventions

Added: Nov 07, 2011 3:04 pm This notice is for Informational Purposes Only: This is not a solicitation for proposals.

The purpose of this project is to develop and demonstrate in two (2) states the implementation of a comprehensive program to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).This program shall involve adaptation and application of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) to VAP prevention, including selection and use of an intervention bundle to prevent VAP based on the most current evidence. Existing guidelines for preventing healthcare-acquired pneumonia, including the 2003 Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) Guideline for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia, shall serve as a starting point for developing a bundle approach for VAP prevention. Each healthcare facility participating in the program will use a CDC-approved definition for VAP. The overall purpose of this project is to accelerate the adoption of care bundles to reduce VAP and to assess the impact of the defined strategies or comprehensive program on VAP rates using a regional or statewide approach.


Identification of the exception to fair opportunity:

This order must be issued on a sole-source basis because only one awardee is capable of providing services required at the level of quality required because the services ordered are unique and highly specialized.

The primary reason for using a sole source for this Action Task Order Contract is the unique capabilities of the contractor. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a comprehensive program to prevent VAP, including application of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) to VAP prevention. This project is designed to expand upon the highly successful Keystone Project in the state of Michigan to eliminate Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) in Central Line Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) and Ventilator- Associated-Phenomena (VAP).The Johns Hopkins University (JHU), is unique among the ACTION II partners, in two primary ways: JHU developed and lead the Keystone Project under a grant funded by AHRQ and has successfully implemented the CUSP for VAP in Michigan. JHU is currently working on two separate projects to implement the CUSP protocol in other states nationwide. Consequently, JHU already has established working relationships with all states. No other ACTION II contractor the experience in reducing VAP efforts on a statewide basis. JHU also has an established and existing relationship and the capacity to build a statewide collaborative lead by state hospital associations. There is considerable Departmental and Congressional interest in this area, and a demand that state hospital association's work with other state partners to reduce these infections immediately. Because of JHU's unique capabilities and structure, it is the only ACTION II contractor that can address VAP in a timely manner and sustain the effort after the initial funding period. The work to establish a statewide collaborative is well underway; it is logical and practical to have JHU work in the area of VAP. JHU is the only ACTION II contractor capable of carrying out the project.