A retrospective cohort study of 30 ventilated ICU patients (mean age 66 years, 73% male) examined standardized mechanical strength (MP) before emergency bronchoscopy as a predictor of 28-day mortality. Before the procedure, a 5-minute stabilization was applied with a volume-controlled type of ventilation with FiO₂ 1.0 and unchanged PEEP and respiratory rate; mean MP was 13.6 J/min. MP ≥ 18 J/min was related to impaired respiratory mechanics, but did not predict mortality. The overall 28-day mortality was 26.7%. In multivariable logistic regression, only carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) positivity independently predicted death (OR 14.6; 95% CI 1.8–116.5; p=0.011). Standardized MP under standardized conditions was not an independent predictor of mortality. KPC positivity was the main determinant of mortality.