Initial Antibiotic Selection in Pneumonia Patients

HealthONE Hospitals in Denver, Colorado

Timeframe: October 2010 through December 2010
(Most Recent Data Available)

Timeframe: October 2009 through September 2010
(Yearly National and State Comparisons)

What Does This Measure?

The percentage of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who receive the correct antibiotic within 24 hours of their arrival at the hospital.

Why Is This Important?

Before a patient receives any antibiotics for pneumonia, it is important that blood samples be taken to test for the type of infection. These blood cultures help determine the most effective antibiotic to treat the strain of pneumonia identified.

What Are We Doing to Improve Our Performance?

HealthONE hospitals have implemented several initiatives to improve our performance on this measure. These include:

• Electronic medication records
• Evidence-based medicine
• Nurse and physician training
• Patient safety and quality committee