Beyond audit: Embracing QI methodology to drive improvements in lung-protective ventilation.

Background: Mechanical ventilation supports patients with respiratory failure during critical illness. Evidence suggests that excessive tidal volumes (regarded as >8 mL/kg predicted body weight [PBW]) cause lung damage through increased lung stretch and alveolar inflammation. Lung-protective ventilation strategies have been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality, and that all patients should receive tidal volumes between 6 and 8 mls/kg PBW.