From the Guidelines
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is defined as a lung infection that develops 48 hours or more after hospital admission and was not incubating at the time of admission. This definition is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which emphasizes the importance of distinguishing HAP from community-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia 1.
Key Characteristics of HAP
- Develops 48 hours or more after hospital admission
- Was not incubating at the time of admission
- Typically involves different pathogens and carries a higher risk of antibiotic resistance compared to community-acquired pneumonia
- A subset of HAP is ventilator-associated pneumonia, which occurs in patients on mechanical ventilation
Common Causative Organisms
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Other gram-negative bacteria
Impact on Patients
- Significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients
- Often leads to prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs
- Associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital length-of-stay 1
Importance of Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment
- Prompt and adequate treatment is crucial to reduce mortality and morbidity
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes 1
- Healthcare professionals should be aware of the latest guidelines and recommendations for the management of HAP, including the use of antimicrobial therapy and preventive measures 1
From the Research
Definition of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is defined as radiologically confirmed pneumonia occurring ≥48h after hospitalization, in non-intubated patients 2
- HAP is also defined as an infection of lung parenchyma that was neither present nor incubating at the time of the patient's admission to the hospital 3
- Pneumonia that occurs 48 hours or more after admission is considered HAP 4
Key Characteristics of HAP
- HAP is one of the most commonly encountered nosocomial infections 5
- Patients who develop severe HAP experience considerable morbidity and mortality, and the condition results in a substantial expenditure of health care resources 5
- HAP can be caused by various pathogens, including Gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus 2
Diagnosis and Treatment of HAP
- Empirical treatment regimens for HAP use broad-spectrum antimicrobials 2
- Radiologically confirmed HAP is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers and sputum culture positivity 2
- Pharmacist intervention can contribute to reducing inflammation in the early phase and shortening the duration of antimicrobial therapy for severe HAP 4