In order to improve the care of our patients, it is necessary for research evidence to be translated into clinical practice. There are gaps in our understanding of knowledge translation (KT) and this is evident in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), specifically as it applies to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP is associated with a high burden of illness in the critically ill and there is an extensive amount of research evidence on this disease. It has been demonstrated that best practice as defined by research evidence is not uniformly applied to VAP. In addition, recent advances in VAP knowledge need be disseminated and implemented in order to improve patient safety and outcomes from VAP. A systematic process of knowledge transfer is crucial to translate this research into evidence-based bedside practice and the development and implementation of evidence based Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) may facilitate VAP knowledge uptake. In addition, there is a need to study knowledge translation (KT) in the ICU since there is little information about optimal KT and CPG implementation strategies in this environment and efforts that are effective in other clinical areas may not result in meaningful change in the ICU.