Explanation of Measures
Percent of Patients Assessed and Given Pneumococcal Vaccination
Flu shots reduce the risk of influenza, a serious and sometimes deadly lung infection that can spread quickly in a community. Hospitals should check to make sure that pneumonia patients, particularly those who are age 50 or older, get a flu shot during flu season to protect them from another lung infection and to help prevent the spread of influenza.
Percent of Patients Whose Initial Emergency Room Blood Culture was Performed Prior to Administration of the First Hospital Dose of Antibiotics
Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a test that can help us identify which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. A blood culture is not always needed, but for patients who are first seen in the hospital emergency department, it is important for the accuracy of the test that a blood culture be conducted before any antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics as soon as possible.
Percent of Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, hospitals will treat the infection with antibiotics. Different bacteria are treated with different antibiotics.
Antibiotics Given within 6 Hours
Antibiotics are used to treat adults with pneumonia caused by bacteria. Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and reduce the possibility of complications.
This information shows the percent of patients who were given their first dose of antibiotics within six hours of arrival at the hospital. Patients who get pneumonia during their stay at the hospital are not counted in this measure.
Percent of Patients Given the Most Appropriate Initial Antibiotics
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, hospitals will treat the infection with antibiotics. Different bacteria are treated with different antibiotics.
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Influenza Vaccination
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, hospitals will treat the infection with antibiotics. Different bacteria are treated with different antibiotics.