The clinical benefit of in-hospital observation in 'low-risk' pneumonia patients after conversion from parenteral to oral antimicrobial therapy

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can be prevented through vaccination with pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. Diagnosis requires suggestive history and physical findings in conjunction with radiographic evidence of infiltrates. Laboratory testing can help guide therapy. Important issues in treatment include choosing the proper venue, timely initiation of the appropriate antibiotic or antiviral, appropriate respiratory support, deescalation after negative culture results, switching to oral therapy, and short treatment duration.

Inpatient Observation After Transition From Intravenous to Oral Antibiotics

OBJECTIVES

Children hospitalized with infections are commonly transitioned from intravenous (IV) to enteral (per os [PO]) antibiotics before discharge, after which they may be observed in the hospital to ensure tolerance of PO therapy and continued clinical improvement. We sought to describe the frequency and predictors of in-hospital observation after transition from IV to PO antibiotics in children admitted for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with SSTIs discharged between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018, using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Children were classified as observed if hospitalized ≥1 day after transitioning from IV to PO antibiotics. We calculated the proportion of observed patients and used logistic regression with random intercepts to identify predictors of in-hospital observation.

RESULTS

Overall, 15% (558 of 3704) of hospitalizations for SSTIs included observation for ≥1 hospital day after the transition from IV to PO antibiotics. The proportion of children observed differed significantly between hospitals (range of 4%-27%; P < .001). Observation after transition to PO antibiotics was less common in older children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.90; P = .045). Children initially prescribed vancomycin (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.03-1.79; P = .032) or with infections located on the neck (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.32-2.24; P < .001) were more likely to be observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Children hospitalized for SSTIs are frequently observed after transitioning from IV to PO antibiotics, and there is substantial variability in the observation rate between hospitals. Specific factors predict in-hospital observation and should be investigated as part of future studies aimed at improving the care of children hospitalized with SSTIs.

Getting Physicians to Make “The Switch”: The Role of Clinical Guidelines in the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

The authors sought to assess physician awareness and usage of American Thoracic Society guidelines for early conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics ("switch therapy") in those with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We then determined if adoption of a CAP guideline would improve either. Patients (N = 510) hospitalized with CAP from June 2002 to May 2003 were identified retrospectively, and chart reviews were done on a random sample (130 [25%]) of these. Physicians were surveyed before and after guideline adoption. Community-acquired pneumonia guideline implementation increased physician awareness of American Thoracic Society recommendations (5% to 40%) and use of switch therapy (60% to 86%). Such use resulted in decreased overall length of stay from 3.6 to 2.4 days (P < .05) and from 2.91 to 2.41 days (P < .05) among early-switch candidates. Early-switch therapy was not optimally used prior to implementation of this CAP guideline. Adoption of the guideline increased awareness and reduced length of stay among inpatients with CAP.

Community Acquired Pneumonia in Internal Medicine: A One-Year Retrospective Study Based on Pneumonia Severity Index

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents the sixth cause of death and the first cause of death for an infectious disease in the USA. The aim of the present study is to evaluate how CAP is managed in a hospital setting, with particular attention to the wards of internal medicine, compared to the recommendations based and validated PSI (Pneumonia Severity Index). 42 subjects were included in the study, 25 males and 17 females. According to the PSI, nine (21%) patients were classified in class I, two (5%) in class II, ten (24%) in class III, fifteen (36%) in class IV and six (14%) in class V. Three patients died during the stay in the hospital (2 males and 1 female), all in the highest PSI class (V). According to the criteria used to evaluate the adequacy of the admission to the hospital, twentyeight patients were classified in the HRG, with an appropriate admission, whilst fourteen (33%) were in the LRG, with an inappropriate admission to the hospital. The data of the study confirm the validity of a PSI based strategy for the management of CAP since admittance to the hospital. This approach is not yet widely implemented in Italy, and a better dialogue between hospital and health system representatives would be convenient, to reduce costs and ensure the safety of patients affected by CAP.

Procalcitonin, a valuable biomarker assisting clinical decision-making in the management of community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and hospital admission, which places strain on our healthcare system. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker of bacterial infection which may help gauge the severity and prognosis of patients with CAP. In addition to clinical predictors, PCT may assist in decisions pertaining to timing of discharge from hospital and the discontinuation of antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of PCT measurement in reducing hospital admissions, length of stay (LOS) and antibiotic (AB) usage in patients with CAP.

METHODS

A prospective, single-blinded, externally controlled study of consenting adult patients admitted with CAP. PCT levels were obtained on day 1 and day 3 (when indicated). Investigator-evaluated clinical parameters, together with results of PCT levels, determined the timing of oral AB switch and discharge from hospital. This process was compared against standard practice, but was not actually implemented, for the purpose of this study.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were included in the study. The mean age was 66.5 ± 21.2 years (56.3% male). The average Pneumonia Severity Index was 93 ± 39 (class IV) and the median CURB-65 was 2. The mean LOS for the standard practice cohort was 5.3 ± 4.6 days versus calculated LOS using the PCT guidance pathway of 3.7 ± 2.8 days. (P = 0.00006).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the hypothesis that by incorporation of PCT levels, hospital admission and LOS in patients with CAP can be reduced. A randomised prospective clinical trial is planned in an attempt to help confirm these findings.

Clinical and economic impact of rapid reporting of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility results of the most frequently processed specimen types

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions are associated with an increase in healthcare costs and a decrease in the quality of care. The aim of this study was to measure the clinical and economic impact of rapid microbiological reporting on the specimens most frequently processed by the Microbiology Laboratory. The Vitek® 2 system (bioMérieux) was used for identification and susceptibility testing. Only hospitalized patients with bacterial infections were included. Two groups were established, a historical control group (results available the day following the analysis) and an intervention group (results available the same day of the analysis). Specimens studied and the median length of time from the introduction of the microorganism in the Vitek® 2 until microbiological report were as follows: wound and abscess (control = 23.5 h, intervention = 9.5 h, p < 0.001), blood (control = 23.5 h, intervention = 9.2 h, p < 0.001), and urine (control = 23.4 h, intervention = 9.3 h, p < 0.001). Outcome parameters were hospital stay and mortality rates. Hospital costs were calculated. The mortality rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. Faster reporting of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility results was associated with a significant reduction in hospital stay and in overall costs for those patients from whom wound, abscess, and urine specimens were analyzed. However, the antimicrobial results of blood culture isolates did not lead to significant clinical or financial benefits.

Early switch to oral antibiotics and early discharge guidelines in the management of community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The major cost of managing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) relates to the duration i.v. antibiotic use and length of hospital stay (LOS). Guidelines on early switch to oral antibiotics and early discharge from hospital may help to achieve a unified approach to managing CAP. The aim of this study was to assess the benefits and safety of these guidelines in an Australian respiratory medicine unit.

METHODS

This prospective study included consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP over a 6-month period. Early switch to oral antibiotics and early discharge guidelines were implemented one month prior to the evaluation period. Comparison was made to a retrospective control group admitted before the guidelines were implemented. Data collection included patient demographics, clinical and outcome parameters, duration of i.v. antibiotics and LOS. Thirty-day outcomes on patient safety and satisfaction were collected from the prospective group.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-five patients in the prospective group were compared to 100 patients in the controls. Baseline characteristics were similar between the comparison groups. Both the mean duration of i.v. antibiotics used (3.38 +/- 0.22 vs. 3.99 +/- 0.28 days, P = 0.03) and LOS (7.62 +/- 0.60 vs. 8.36 +/- 0.55 days, P = 0.04) were significantly shorter in the prospective group. Thirty-day readmission rate was 6% and patient self-reported overall satisfaction was 93.9% in those who were followed up.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of early switch and early discharge guidelines for CAP reduced the duration of i.v. antibiotics and LOS while maintaining high levels of safety and patient satisfaction.

[Evaluation of clinical practice in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia over a 4-year period]

OBJECTIVE

Since March 2000 we have been using a clinical practice guideline in the management of patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of quality of care received by these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study comparing the process of care and outcomes of 4 consecutive 1-year periods (March 1, 2000 through February 29, 2004) in patients admitted for CAP.

RESULTS

Over the 4 years studied, the following statistically significant trends were observed: reductions in hospital admissions (P< .001), length of hospital stay (P< .05), and total duration of antibiotic treatment (P< .05); and increases in the coverage of atypical pathogens (P< .001) and administration of antibiotics within 8 hours of hospital arrival (P< .001). No significant differences were found in readmissions within 30 days, or in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Two other areas for improvement were also identified: a low percentage of admissions to the intensive care unit (4.4%) and the rate of unnecessary hospitalization of low-risk patients (36.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic monitoring of the indicators of our clinical guidelines provided us with information about our clinical practice and facilitated an evaluation of the same. Many of these indicators were found to have evolved favorably and areas of improvement were identified.

In-hospital observation after antibiotic switch in pneumonia: a national evaluation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical benefit of in-hospital observation after the switch from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics in a large Medicare population. Retrospective studies of relatively small size indicate that the practice of in-hospital observation after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unnecessary.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective examination of the US Medicare National Pneumonia Project database. Eligible patients were discharged with an ICD-9-CM diagnosis consistent with community-acquired pneumonia and divided into 2 groups: 1) a "not observed" cohort, in which patients were discharged on the same day as the switch from IV to oral antibiotics and 2) an "observed for 1 day" cohort, in which patients remained hospitalized for 1 day after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics. We compared clinical outcomes between these 2 cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 39,242 cases were sampled, representing 4341 hospitals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There were 5248 elderly patients who fulfilled eligibility criteria involving a length of stay of no more than 7 hospital days (2536 "not observed" and 2712 "observed for 1 day" patients). Mean length of stay was 3.8 days for the "not observed" cohort and 4.5 days for the "observed for 1 day" cohort (P <.0001). There was no significant difference in 14-day hospital readmission rate (7.8% in the "not observed" cohort vs 7.2% "observed for 1 day" cohort, odds ratio 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-1.12; P =.367) and 30-day mortality rate (5.1% "not observed" cohort vs 4.4% in the "observed for 1 day" cohort, odds ratio 0.86; 95% CI, 0.67-1.11; P =.258) between the "not observed" and "observed for 1 day" cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of the US Medicare Pneumonia Project database provides further evidence that the routine practice of in-hospital observation after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics for patients with CAP may be avoided in patients who are clinically stable although these findings should be verified in a large randomized controlled trial.

[Guidelines for the management of community pneumonia in adult who needs hospitalization]

Community acquired pneumonia is still an important health problem. In Spain the year incidence is 162 cases per 100,000 inhabitants with 53,000 hospital admission costing 115 millions of euros per year. In the last years there have been significant advances in the knowledge of: aetiology, diagnostic tools, treatment alternatives and antibiotic resistance. The Spanish Societies of Intensive and Critical Care (SEMICYUC), Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) have produced these evidence-based Guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in Adults. The main objective is to help physicians to make decisions about this disease. The different points that have been developed are: aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Management of respiratory infections in the elderly

Respiratory infections are common at all ages but are particularly sinister among the elderly because of the fragility and chronic comorbidity associated with this age group. The three types of respiratory infection in the elderly are community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and nonpneumonic respiratory tract infection. The etiology of these three types of infection includes classic bacteria, atypical pathogens and respiratory viruses. The relative frequency of each of the etiological groups as the causative agent of the infection varies significantly among these types of infection, but in all three types a significant proportion of infections involves more than one pathogen. The causative agent of respiratory infection in the elderly cannot be determined on the basis of clinical manifestation or the results of routine imaging procedures or laboratory tests. Thus, initial antibiotic therapy in these patients should be empiric, based on accepted guidelines. In recent years, the antipneumococcal fluoroquinolones have gained in stature as one of the best options to treat these infections. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations can reduce morbidity and mortality from respiratory infections in the elderly, so it is important that all elderly individuals are vaccinated through a structured program in the framework of primary care. The economic impact of respiratory infections in the elderly is primarily associated with the requirement for hospitalization in many of the cases. Any action that can reduce hospitalization rates has important economic ramifications. In light of the difficulty in reaching an early etiologic diagnosis in respiratory infections, it is essential to invest in the development of a compact diagnostic kit for the early stages of the disease, which could change reality in this important area of medicine.

The role of resistance and impact on appropriate antimicrobial use

Antibiotic resistance is a subject of growing concern throughout the medical community. Addressing drug resistance requires that practitioners understand the mechanisms of resistance and the methods of treating infections effectively while minimizing the emergence of resistant organisms. When making antibiotic selections, clinicians should consider a number of factors in addition to the drug's antimicrobial activity. These include the epidemiology of regional resistance and the antibiotic's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Combination therapies should be considered and appropriate durations of therapy addressed. Developing clear practice guidelines for managing infectious disease can help practitioners reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and minimize the emergence of resistance.

Management of community-acquired pneumonia: a focus on conversion from hospital to the ambulatory setting

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are treated in hospital or in the ambulatory care setting depending on the severity of illness. Despite numerous guidelines proposed, there is no agreement on specific criteria for hospitalization other than the clinicians' experience. The purpose of this review is to discuss the importance of the appropriate choice and timely administration of antibacterial agents, either in the hospital or in the outpatient setting. Since a high proportion of CAP patients will not have an etiologic agent identified at the time of initiation of treatment, the choice of antibacterial therapy is usually empiric. Antibacterial agents with activity against pneumococci and atypical pathogens causing pneumonia are the preferred choices. Macrolides, doxycycline, or respiratory fluoroquinolones have been recommended by various guidelines committees in North America for the treatment of pneumonia in patients with or without underlying comorbidities. Because of the increasing resistance to beta-lactams as well other antibacterial agents such as macrolides, doxycycline, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (cotrimoxazole), it is important that clinicians are aware of local statistics on resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae, as infection with this bacterium is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. More recently, fluoroquinolone resistance has been reported, but the percentage of pneumococcal strains resistant to this agent is relatively low compared with the other antibacterial agents. Switch (intravenous to oral) therapy is recommended for hospitalized patients with CAP to facilitate early discharge, which has been shown to improve patient satisfaction and reduce hospital costs. Early conversion to oral therapy has not been shown to be associated with increased complications or higher mortality. Following prompt intravenous therapy and stabilization, patients with CAP should be treated with oral therapy in the ambulatory setting.

Community-acquired pneumonia

This seminar reviews important features and management issues of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) that are especially relevant to immunocompetent adults in light of new information about cause, clinical course, diagnostic testing, treatment, and prevention. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most important pathogen; however, emerging resistance of this organism to antimicrobial agents has affected empirical treatment of CAP. Atypical pathogens have been quite commonly identified in several prospective studies. The clinical significance of these pathogens (with the exception of Legionella spp) is not clear, partly because of the lack of rapid, standardised tests. Diagnostic evaluation of CAP is important for appropriate assessment of severity of illness and for establishment of the causative agent in the disease. Until better rapid diagnostic methods are developed, most patients will be treated empirically. Antimicrobials continue to be the mainstay of treatment, and decisions about specific agents are guided by several considerations that include spectrum of activity, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. Several factors have been shown to be associated with a beneficial clinical outcome in patients with CAP. These factors include administration of antimicrobials in a timely manner, choice of antibiotic therapy, and the use of a critical pneumonia pathway. The appropriate use of vaccines against pneumococcal disease and influenza should be encouraged. Several guidelines for management of CAP have recently been published, the recommendations of which are reviewed.

Cost-effectiveness of community-acquired pneumonia therapy

Community-acquired pneumonia is a common disease in adults and substantially contributes to morbidity and mortality in the USA and worldwide. Due to the significant costs associated with this disease, there is increasing pressure to evaluate the variation in practices among healthcare providers. The processes of care related to the diagnosis, management and prevention of community-acquired pneumonia are reviewed. Furthermore, the cost-effective strategies for community-acquired pneumonia and the medical evidence that support their usage are outlined.

Early mobilization of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine if early mobilization (EM) of hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) reduces hospital length of stay.

DESIGN

Group randomized trial.

SETTING

Three Midwestern hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred fifty-eight patients with CAP admitted to 17 general medical units between November 1997 and April 1998.

INTERVENTION

EM was defined as sitting out of bed or ambulating for at least 20 min during the first 24 h of hospitalization. Progressive mobilization occurred each subsequent day during hospitalization.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Intervention (n = 227) and usual-care patients (n = 231) were similar in age, gender, disease severity, door-to-drug delivery time, and IV-to-po switchover time. Hospital length of stay for EM vs usual care was significantly less (mean, 5.8 vs 6.9 days; adjusted absolute difference, 1.1 days; 95% confidence interval, 0.0 to 2.2 days). There were no differences in adverse events or other secondary outcomes between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Like patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction and total knee replacements, EM of hospitalized patients with CAP reduces overall hospital length of stay and institutional resources without increasing the risk of adverse outcomes.

Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised patients

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be life-threatening. The prognosis is generally poorest in elderly patients and/or those with underlying chronic conditions, but fatalities can occur in all age groups. Current challenges in the clinical management of CAP are discussed, and the criteria for identifying those patients who should be treated in hospital with initial intravenous therapy are considered. Rapid initiation of therapy is important, using an agent that provides coverage against the most likely pathogens--Streptococcus pneumoniae and the atypical organisms. There is an increasing tendency to minimise the duration of intravenous therapy, with an early transition to oral therapy and the rapid return of the patient to the community. The efficacy of oral macrolides in the treatment of CAP is well established. Evidence for the use of intravenous azithromycin to provide effective and well-tolerated, first-line intervention in the hospitalized CAP patient is summarised.

Community-acquired pneumonia: process of care studies

New insight has been gained into the relationship between the processes of care undertaken for patients with community-acquired pneumonia and the resulting outcomes. Better insight into the risks for a complicated course can increase the percentage of patients treated as outpatients. Studies have also suggested that both the promptness and the choice of antibiotic therapy can affect patient outcomes. Promptly switching to oral antibiotic therapy can often lead to a shorter length of hospital stay; however, concern has arisen regarding the effect of shorter lengths of stay on patient outcomes.

Cost-effective approaches to the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in the era of resistance

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) infects upwards of four million people in the US each year, of which 20% require subsequent hospitalisation. Consequently, it is a large contributor to excessive healthcare resource consumption and cost. Since the aetiology of CAP is not identified in a majority of patients, treatment is often empiric, aimed at the most common causes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and the atypical pathogens (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila). A variety of pharmaceutical agents exist for the treatment of CAP, most notably the cephalosporin and penicillin derivatives, the macrolide/azalide antibacterials, the newer tetracyclines, and most recently the respiratory fluoroquinolones. Choosing an agent is usually related to issues such as patient compliance, adverse event profiles, and the presence of resistance. Of these, resistance seems to be the main factor today. S. pneumoniae, the most common cause of CAP, is steadily acquiring resistance to a majority of the currently available antibacterials, thus further increasing costs due to prolonged hospitalisation, treatment of relapses and the use of more expensive antibacterials. Understanding and maximising the pharmacodynamic properties of the available antibacterials will not only prevent the emergence of resistance, thus prolonging their clinical utility, but also reduce the costs associated with treating the infection through rapid symptom improvement and earlier patient discharge. Numerous methods for reducing costs in patients with bacterial infections are documented in the literature and can be applied to CAP. Choosing monotherapy instead of combination therapy can reduce costs associated with the administration of the antibacterial. Agents with longer half-lives allow for once-daily administration, which in turn, leads to improved compliance, successful outcomes, and decreased costs. Administering antibacterials to maximise their pharmacodynamics, such as with continuous infusion of beta-lactams, reduces the amount of drug needed in addition to savings associated with administration and supplies. Finally, transitioning patients to oral therapy as soon as they are clinically stable can significantly reduce the length of hospital stay, which is the major contributing factor of healthcare costs. The use of a clinical pathway in an institution is the most effective way to apply these cost-saving approaches in the treatment of CAP. These pathways should be specific to each institution, thus considering the resistance rates in the area and encouraging the use of the most active, cost-effective agents to produce rapid, positive clinical outcomes.

Achieving a safe and early discharge for patients with community-acquired pneumonia

The rationale for achieving an early discharge for patients with CAP is that reduced length of stay can result in lower costs. When hospital discharge is premature, however, use of resources after discharge from the hospital may increase. This situation could increase overall cost and worsen quality of care. The objective should be to achieve a safe and early discharge. Several studies have evaluated methods for achieving this goal. Key findings from these studies are as follows: When a patient achieves clinical stability (e.g., systolic blood pressure, > or = 90 mm Hg; heart rate, < or = 100 beats/min; respiratory rate, < or = 24 breaths/min; temperature, < or = 38.3 degrees C [101 degrees F]; oxygen saturation, > or = 90%; able to eat; and stable mental status) or fulfills appropriate criteria (see Table 2), the patient may be eligible for switch from parenteral to oral antibiotics and early discharge. For many patients, this switch or discharge may occur on day 3 of hospitalization. When a patient is switched from parenteral to oral antibiotics, in many cases there does not appear to be a demonstrable clinical benefit to in-hospital observation. Elimination of in-hospital observation for patients who do not have an obvious reason for continued hospitalization potentially could reduce length of stay by 1 day. Improving efficiency of care reduces length of stay. This reduction may be accomplished by implementing clinical pathways, identifying and correcting causes of medically unnecessary hospital days, initiating early discharge planning, enlisting the services of a discharge coordinator, and organizing outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment programs. These strategies are effective in many but not all patients, and their application should be tempered with careful clinical judgment.

Evaluating quality indicators for patients with community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Several organizations have published evidence-based quality indicators for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, there is variability in the types of indicators presented between organizations and the level of supporting evidence for each of the indicators. A systematic review of the literature and relevant Internet Web sites was performed to identify quality indicators for CAP that have been proposed or recommended by organizations, and each of the indicators was then critically appraised, using a well-defined set of criteria.

METHODOLOGY

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Best Evidence, and Cochrane Systematic Review databases and Internet Web sites were searched for articles and guidelines published between January 1980 and May 2001 to identify quality indicators for CAP and relevant evidence. Experts in the area of health services research were contacted to identify additional sources. A well-defined set of criteria was applied to evaluate each of the quality indicators.

RESULTS

The systematic review of the literature and Internet Web sites yielded 44 CAP-specific quality indicators. The critical appraisal of these indicators yielded 16 indicators that were supported by a study that identified an association between quality of care and the process of care or outcome measure, were applied to enough patients to be able to detect clinically meaningful differences, were clinically and/or economically relevant, were measurable in a clinical practice setting, and were precise in their specifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Many organizations recommend indicators for CAP. Indicators may serve as measures of clinical performance for clinicians and hospitals, may help in benchmarking, and may ultimately facilitate improvements in quality of care and cost reductions. However, CAP indicators often vary in their meaningfulness, scientific soundness, and interpretability of results. A set of five critical appraisal questions may assist in the evaluation of which quality indicators are most valid.

[Community-acquired pneumonia: influence of the duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy on hospital stay and the cost-benefit ratio]

Intravenous antibiotic therapy (IVAT) is usually prescribed for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Studies have associated prolonged IVAT with longer hospital stays and higher costs. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the expense generated by and mean stay of patients hospitalized for pneumonia, with special attention to the influence of IVAT duration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred twenty-five CAP patients admitted to the respiratory medicine wards of our hospital were randomly assigned to five different staff physicians. IVAT was prescribed following the norms of the Spanish Society of Respiratory Medicine and Chest Surgery (SEPAR). IVAT was withdrawn when the attending physician considered it appropriate. We collected epidemiological, comorbidity, clinical and analytical data. Complications were recorded and severity of CAP was classified using the model proposed by Fine. Follow-up care was given at an outpatient clinic until symptoms disappeared and chest films resolved. Multivariate analysis determined the factors predicting mean hospital stay and high cost. Costs were calculated based on data issued by the billing department.

RESULTS

The mean cost of care was 307,274 pesetas, mean duration of IVAT was 5.8 days and mean hospital stay was 9.4 days. Multivariate analysis showed that cost was related to mean hospital stay and IVAT. Mean hospital stay was associated with IVAT, the presence of respiratory insufficiency and the day of the week when admission took place (with weekend admission leading to longer stays).

CONCLUSIONS

The duration of IVAT in CAP influences mean hospital stay and cost, without adding any evident therapeutic benefit (in the group of patients selected). Recommendations for diagnosing and treating CAP may be advisable.

What factors influence physicians' decisions to switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia?

OBJECTIVE

One of the major factors influencing length of stay for patients with community-acquired pneumonia is the timing of conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics. We measured physician attitudes and beliefs about the antibiotic switch decision and assessed physician characteristics associated with practice beliefs.

DESIGN

Written survey assessing attitudes about the antibiotic conversion decision.

SETTING

Seven teaching and non-teaching hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pa.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred forty-five generalist and specialist attending physicians who manage pneumonia in 7 hospitals.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Factors rated as "very important" to the antibiotic conversion decision were: absence of suppurative infection (93%), ability to maintain oral intake (79%), respiratory rate at baseline (64%), no positive blood cultures (63%), normal temperature (62%), oxygenation at baseline (55%), and mental status at baseline (50%). The median thresholds at which physicians believed a typical patient could be converted to oral therapy were: temperature < or =100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), respiratory rate < or =20 breaths/minute, heart rate < or =100 beats/minute, systolic blood pressure > or =100 mm Hg, and room air oxygen saturation > or =90%. Fifty-eight percent of physicians felt that "patients should be afebrile for 24 hours before conversion to oral antibiotics," and 19% said, "patients should receive a standard duration of intravenous antibiotics." In univariate analyses, pulmonary and infectious diseases physicians were the most predisposed towards early conversion to oral antibiotics, and other medical specialists were the least predisposed, with generalists being intermediate (P <.019). In multivariate analyses, practice beliefs were associated with age, inpatient care activities, attitudes about guidelines, and agreeableness on a personality inventory scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians believed that patients could be switched to oral antibiotics once vital signs and mental status had stabilized and oral intake was possible. However, there was considerable variation in several antibiotic practice beliefs. Guidelines and pathways to streamline antibiotic therapy should include educational strategies to address some of these differences in attitudes.

Initial risk class and length of hospital stay in community-acquired pneumonia

The total medical costs of community-acquired pneumonia are directly related to the costs of hospital admission and length of stay. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reasons for prolonged duration of stay in patients stratified in five risk classes for death, and to identify factors associated with prolonged stay. The study population consisted of 295 patients. According to lower (classes I, II, III) or to higher (classes IV, V) risk, the target duration of hospitalization was set at 5 and 7 days, respectively. The causes of prolonged hospitalization were classified as pneumonia-related, complications, unstable comorbid diseases and nonclinical factors. The overall percentage of patients with appropriate duration of hospitalization was 32%. Causes of prolonged hospitalization were related mainly to pneumonia (32%) from all risk classes. Morbid complications and instability of the underlying illness were greater in class V patients. Nonclinical factors were present in 29.5% of cases. Hypoxaemia, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and complications appearing before 72 h were associated with prolonged hospitalization. The cause of prolonged hospitalization of patients with community-acquired pneumonia is multifactorial, depending mainly on pneumonia and comorbid conditions but there is a large number of unnecessary hospitalization days that could be reduced by improving the efficiency of hospital care.

Do guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia improve the cost-effectiveness of hospital care?

There is growing pressure to demonstrate the value of practice guidelines. We have reviewed the evidence that guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) change current practices and that the standardization of practices reduces costs and/or improves outcome. The most obvious barrier to implementation of the guidelines is lack of knowledge about their content; equally important are the attitudes and behavior of professionals, patients, and their caregivers. Guidelines may improve the outcome of CAP, provided that there is an association between variations in outcome and some specific processes of care. Conversely, when there is no such relationship, guidelines may reduce the cost of care without having an adverse effect on outcome. The cost-effectiveness of CAP guidelines in an individual hospital depends on the systems that are available to identify patients with CAP and to measure the processes of care. There is good evidence that following the recommendations of the CAP guidelines does improve the cost-effectiveness of care and, therefore, that an audit of CAP may be worth the effort.

Community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly: a practical guide to treatment

The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), an infectious disease, sharply increases among the elderly and the main risk factor for CAP in this age group is chronic comorbidity. The use of the term CAP in the elderly population should be reserved for pneumonia acquired outside of the nursing home setting, since nursing home-acquired pneumonia differs from CAP in terms of its aetiology and clinical manifestations. The main aetiology for CAP is Streptococcus pneumoniae, but atypical pathogens also play an important role as causative agents. The clinical presentations of CAP in the elderly can be different from those in younger patients, and therefore it is important to be aware of and familiar with these differences to avoid unnecessary delays in reaching the correct diagnosis. Imaging is essential to diagnose CAP and to assess its severity. Clinical and laboratory indices can be used to identify elderly patients with CAP who are at low risk for mortality and who can be treated as outpatients. The decision not to hospitalise elderly patients with CAP is contingent on a good clinical condition and the existence of home support systems. The aetiology of CAP cannot be determined on the basis of clinical manifestations, imaging or routine laboratory test results, and the initial antibiotic therapy for elderly patients with CAP should be empirical, based on accepted guidelines. In the light of developments in recent years, elderly patients with CAP, except those who are severely ill, can be treated empirically with once-daily antibiotic monotherapy in the initial phase, using a third-generation fluoroquinolone preparation, such as sparfloxacin, levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, or a new macrolide such as clarithromycin, azithromycin or dirithromycin. In addition to antibiotic therapy, it is critically important to identify and treat the physiological disturbances that accompany CAP as well as decompensation of chronic comorbid conditions. As soon as the patient's condition permits, oral antibiotic therapy should replace intravenous therapy and early discharge from the hospital should be considered. Since influenza and pneumococcus immunisation can reduce morbidity and mortality from CAP, it is important to implement regular immunisation programmes in the primary care setting.

Gentamicin for the practicing urologist: review of efficacy, single daily dosing and "switch" therapy

PURPOSE

We review the literature on gentamicin, including single daily dosing and "switch" therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used MEDLINE to search the literature from 1966 to June 1997, and then manually searched bibliographies to identify studies that our initial search might have missed.

RESULTS

Gentamicin has attractive characteristics, including wide spectrum, infrequent resistance, economy and familiarity. Although limited by well known toxicities, gentamicin remains a drug of choice for serious Gram-negative infections. Dosing strategies, such as single daily dosing and switch therapy, have renewed enthusiasm for this time-honored drug.

CONCLUSIONS

Gentamicin remains a valuable drug in urology. Once daily dosing and switch therapy offer the potential to increase effectiveness and convenience while decreasing toxicity and costs.

Economic assessment of the community-acquired pneumonia intervention trial employing levofloxacin

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess use of a critical pathway designed to manage community-acquired pneumonia more efficiently than its management with conventional therapy.

METHODS

Economic outcomes were assessed in conjunction with a cluster-design, randomized, controlled trial. Nineteen participating Canadian hospitals were randomized to implement the critical pathway (n = 9) or conventional therapy (n = 10). The critical pathway included a clinical prediction rule to guide the admission decision, treatment with levofloxacin, and practice guidelines. Patient data on medical resource use, lost productivity, and quality of life were collected prospectively for > or =6 weeks after treatment. Costs were calculated from the government, health care system, and societal perspectives, with imputation of missing outpatient costs and the costs of lost productivity when necessary. Bootstrapping was used to identify 95% CIs for the total cost per patient.

RESULTS

The analysis included all eligible patients in the critical pathway (n = 716) and conventional therapy (n = 1027) arms. There were fewer hospital admissions in the critical pathway arm than in the conventional therapy arm, both overall (46.5% vs 62.2%; P = 0.01) and in low-risk patients (33.2% vs 46.8%; P < 0.001). Compared with conventional therapy, hospitals in the critical pathway arm had 1.6 fewer bed days per patient managed (P = 0.05) and used fewer inpatient medical resources. The 2 study arms had similar outpatient, readmission, and lost-productivity costs, and similar quality-of-life outcomes. The critical pathway produced cost savings from all 3 perspectives that ranged from $457 to $994 per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The critical pathway employing levofloxacin resulted in cost savings compared with conventional therapy and did not compromise health outcomes.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia: An Overview

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) accounts for a significant number of hospitalizations and outpatient visits, as well as substantial health care expenditures. CAP is particularly common among the elderly who account for more than 90% of deaths due to pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is believed to be the most common microbial etiology of CAP, but recent studies suggest that the atypical pathogens may be more common than previously thought, particularly among ambulatory patients. Recent studies have provided data regarding risk of mortality and process of care and outcomes. Increasing resistance among strains of S. pneumoniae has impacted the approach to the empiric therapy of CAP. The Infectious Diseases Society of America published guidelines for the evaluation and management of CAP this past year. Pathogen-specific therapy guided by the results of sputum gram stain and culture is emphasized. Despite enthusiasm for practice guidelines and clinical pathways, there remains insufficient published data to determine their impact on quality and cost of care in patients with CAP.

Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups, especially the elderly, which is a patient population that continues to grow. Recently the spectrum and clinical picture of pneumonia has been changing as a reflection of this aging population; this requires a reassessment of and a new approach to the patient with pneumonia. Currently, pneumonia patients are classified as having either community-acquired or hospital-acquired infection rather than typical versus atypical. Patients who have CAP are categorized by age, presence of a coexisting medical illness, and the severity of the pneumonia. The rationale behind categorizing patients is to stratify them in terms of mortality risk to help determine the location of therapy (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, intensive care unit) and focus the choice of initial antimicrobial therapy. Once the decision to hospitalize a patient with pneumonia is made, the next step is to decide on an appropriate diagnostic evaluation and antibiotic therapy. Both decisions have evolved over the last several years since the publication of the American Thoracic Society's CAP guidelines. The current approach to the diagnostic work-up of pneumonia stresses a limited role of diagnostic tests and procedures. The antimicrobial regimen has now evolved into one that is empiric in nature and based on the age of the patient, the presence of coexisting medical disease, and the overall severity of the pneumonia. This process is a dynamic once because bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics can further complicate the course of pneumonia therapy, but the impact of resistance on outcome is less clear. Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin is a prime example of this growing problem, and adjustment to pneumonia therapy may be required. A difficult but not uncommon problem in pneumonia patients is slow recovery and delayed resolution of radiographic infiltrates. Factors that impact negatively on pneumonia resolution include advanced age and the presence of serious comorbid illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, renal disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, certain organism factors (e.g., intrinsic virulence) may interact with host factors and advanced age to delay pneumonia resolution. For example, 50% of patients with pneumococcal pneumonia have radiographic clearing at 5 weeks, and the majority clear within 2 to 3 months. Recent data demonstrate that radiographic resolution of CAP is most influenced by the number of lobes involved and the age of the patient. Radiographic clearance of CAP decreases by 20% per decade after age 20, and patients with multilobar infiltrates take longer to clear than those with unilobar disease. In general, when approaching slowly resolving infiltrates after pneumonia, bronchoscopic evaluation and lung biopsy are more likely to yield a specific diagnosis if the patient is a nonsmoker younger than 55 years old with multilobar disease. If the patients has either no identifiable factors associated with prolonged pneumonia resolution or the repeat chest radiograph at 1 month shows no appreciable change, further diagnostic testing is indicated. The route and duration of antibiotic therapy, another detail of the management of CAP patients that has changed recently, is complicated by the fact that the majority of patients with CAP have no pathogen identified. Therefore, in most instances the physician initiates empiric antibiotics on the basis of epidemiologic data. If an etiologic pathogen is identified (either initially or at a later time), then the antibiotic spectrum can be narrowed. When no pathogen is discovered, broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics are continued. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)