Pneumonia Measures
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Oxygenation Assessment
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
Pneumonia can lower the oxygen in your blood because the air spaces in your lungs
fill with mucus. The oxygen you breathe does not get into your bloodstream.
It is important that the amount of oxygen in your blood be measured within
24 hours of arrival at the hospital to see if you need oxygen therapy. The
assessment may include an ABG (arterial blood gas) or pulse oximetry (electrodes
attached to a part of your body like a finger, earlobe, or skin fold).
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Pneumococcal Vaccination
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
The pneumococcal vaccine may help you prevent, or lower the risk of complications
of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It may also help you prevent future
infections. Patients with pneumonia should be asked if they have been
vaccinated recently for pneumonia and, if not, should be given the vaccine.
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Having a Blood Culture
Performed Prior
to First Antibiotic Received in the Hospital
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a
test that allows the health care provider know which bacteria may have
caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. It is
best to do the blood culture within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital
and before antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics
as soon as possible. A blood culture lets your health care provider know
how to best treat you and if any precautions are necessary to prevent the
spread of your illness.
For more information about Pneumonia and Treatments, click
here.
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Smoking Cessation
Advice/Counseling
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
Smoking damages your lungs and can make it hard to breath. Smoking increases
your chances of getting pneumonia or other chronic lung diseases like emphysema
and bronchitis. Smoking is also linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke,
and other diseases; and can cause premature death. It is important for
you to get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital.
Quitting may reduce your chance of getting pneumonia again.
Percent
of Pneumonia Patients Given Initial Antibiotic(s) within Six Hours
after Arrival
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
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 4
hours of arrival at the hospital. Patients who get pneumonia during
their stay at the hospital are not counted in this measure. SEMMC is
continuously improving this process.
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given the Most Appropriate Initial
Antibiotic(s)
July 2006 – June 2007Why is this Important?
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. To learn about how hospitals use a blood test to choose
the most effective treatment for pneumonia patients, click
here.
Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Influenza Vaccination
July 2006 – June 2007
Why is this Important?
Flu shots reduce the risk of influenza, a serious and sometimes deadly
lung infection that can spread quickly in a community or facility. 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.
Since a flu shot is effective for just one flu season, the period of time
used to calculate this rate is the flu season (from approximately November
through March), in contrast to other measures on Hospital Compare, which
are generally collected throughout the year.
Higher percentages are better.
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