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Health care-associated pneumonia
- Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a distinct entity
- HCAP includes any patient with pneumonia and 1 or more of the following:
- hospitalization for 2 or more days in an acute care facility within the preceeding 90 days
- nursing home patients
- patients of long-term care facilities
- patients who attend a hospital or hemodialysis clinic
- patients who received IV antibiotics, chemotherapy, or wound care within 30 days of infection
- Data indicate that the mortality for HCAP is higher than CAP
- The most common organisms in HCAP include S.aureus, P.aeruginosa, Klebsiella species, Haemophilus species, and Escherichia species
- An initial recommended antibiotic regimen includes a combination of an antipseudomonal cephalosporin plus a fluoroquinolone plus an agent active against MRSA
References
Abrahamian FM, DeBlieux PM, Emerman CL, et al. Health care-associated pneumonia: identification and initial management in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2008;26:1-11.