J Korean Med Assoc.  2007 Oct;50(10):868-876. 10.5124/jkma.2007.50.10.868.

Patient Stratification and Decision to Hospitalize Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

• Lee KH

• KMID: 2064998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2007.50.10.868

Abstract

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia can be divided into four groups, each with a list of likely pathogens and suggested empiric therapy accordingly. Patient classification is based on the assessment of place of therapy, the presence of cardiopulmonary disease, and the presence of modifying factors. The admission decision remains to be difficult and follows the prognostic scoring rules (the Pneumonia Patients Outcome Research Team, PORT) are widely using as admission criteria. Still clinicians use inconsistent admission criteria and often overestimate patients risk. In general, hospitalization is needed if patients have multiple risk factors for a complicated course. Admission to the intensive care unit is needed for patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

Keyword

Community-acquired pneumonia; Classification; Hospitalization decision

MeSH Terms

Classification
Hospitalization
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Pneumonia*
Risk Factors

Figure

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  Figure 1 Prediction rule to identify patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

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  Figure 2 Severity assessment in a hospital setting: the CURB-65 score. One step strategy for stratifying patients with community-acquired pneumonia risk groups according to risk of mortality at 30 days when the results of blood urea are available.

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