Do Guidelines for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Worsen Outcome?

Among intensive care unit patients with pneumonia and risk factors for a multidrug-resistant pathogen, guideline-compliant treatment was associated with increased mortality.

Today's focus on evidence-based medicine has increased the emphasis on developing and following clinical practice guidelines — sometimes even when supporting data are limited. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) jointly released guidelines for the management of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Now, in a prospective, industry-supported, multicenter trial, investigators have examined whether compliance with these guidelines improves outcomes among intensive care unit patients with pneumonia potentially caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

During the 18-month study, 413 adult patients were assessed, and 303 met inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 129 received guideline-comp…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Do Guidelines for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Worsen Outcome?

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Reviewing Author