Pneumonia Treatment

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. Pneumonia is usually triggered when a patient's defense system is weakened, most often by a simple viral upper respiratory tract infection or a case of influenza. In 2004, pneumonia accounted for 1.3 million hospitalizations. Over 60 percent of those hospitalizations were for patients 65 years of age or older. Patients receiving recommended care for pneumonia are less likely to require a return visit to the hospital.* 

Pneumonia Treatment at UNC Health Care

UNC Health Care follows the recommended procedures for care of patients who present with a possible case of pneumonia. The recommendations, also called indicators, are listed below.**

• PN-2 - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Pneumococcal Vaccination
  Why is this recommended?
  A pneumonia (pneumococcal) shot can help prevent pneumonia in the future, even for patients who have been hospitalized for pneumonia.
• PN-3b - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Whose Initial Emergency Room Blood Culture Was Performed Prior To The Administration Of The First Hospital Dose Of Antibiotics
  Why is this recommended?
  A blood culture tells what kind of medicine will work best to treat your pneumonia.
• PN-4 - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling
  Why is this recommended?
  Smoking is linked to pneumonia. Quitting may help prevent you from getting pneumonia again.
• PN-5c - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Initial Antibiotic(s) within 6 Hours After Arrival
  Why is this recommended?
  Timely use of antibiotics can improve the treatment of pneumonia caused by bacteria.
  • Please note: As of January 2009, CMS changed this recommendation to Antibiotics within 6 hours after arrival. Prior to January 2009 CMS recommended Antibiotics within 4 hours of arrival.

• PN-6b - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given the Most Appropriate Initial Antibiotic(s)
  Why is this recommended?
  Antibiotics are medicines that treat infection, and each one is different. Hospitals should choose the antibiotics that best treat the infection type for each pneumonia patient.
• PN-7 - Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Influenza Vaccination
  Why is this recommended?
  An influenza shot can help prevent influenza in the future, even for patients who have been hospitalized for pneumonia. (This is only measured during flu season, between October and March.)

*source: http://www.nchospitalquality.org/graphdate.lasso

**source: http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/Hospital/Static/About-HospQuality.asp dest=NAV|Home|About|QualityMeasures#WhatAreHospitalQM