Pneumonia diagnostic criteria

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2], Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [3]

Pneumonia Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pneumonia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnostic Algorithm
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pneumonia diagnostic criteria On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pneumonia diagnostic criteria All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pneumonia diagnostic criteria
CDC onPneumonia diagnostic criteria
Pneumonia diagnostic criteria in the news
Blogs on Pneumonia diagnostic criteria
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pneumonia
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pneumonia diagnostic criteria

Overview

Community acquired pneumonia should be distinguished from healthcare-associated pneumonia as these diseases have different causative organism, prognosis, diagnostic and treatment guidelines.

Diagnostic Criteria

Community-Acquired pneumonia

Patient who has not been hospitalized or in an institutional setting for the past 2 weeks and have the following findings:

• CXR findings of a new infiltrate. Although there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), a new infiltrate on chest radiograph in the setting of acute respiratory complaints (e.g., cough and dyspnea) is considered highly suggestive of CAP.
• At least 2 of the four need to be present. The four symptoms are fever, cough, dyspnea, chest pain.

Hospital Acquired Pneumonia

According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society healthcare-associated pneumonia includes any patient who meet the below criteria

• Hospitalized in an acute care hospital for 2 or more days within 90 days of the infection;
• Resided in a nursing home or long-term care facility;
• Received recent intravenous antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, or wound care within the past 30 days of the current infection;
• Attended a hospital or hemodialysis clinic.

Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus recommendation criteria for severe community acquired pneumonia in adults. (DO NOT EDIT)

“

Minor Criteria Respiratory rate >30 breaths/min PaO2/FiO2 ratio <250 Multilobar infiltrates Confusion/disorientation Uremia (BUN level, >20 mg/dL) Leukopenia (WBC count, <4000 cells/mm3) Thrombocytopenia (platelet count, < 100,000 cells/mm3) Hypothermia (core temperature, <36 degrees C) Hypotension requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation Major criteria Invasive mechanical ventilation Septic shock with the need for vasopressors

”