Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia
13:27

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia

Published on: May 6, 2014

Treatment of nursing home-acquired pneumonia

Kyle Mills1, A Christie Graham, Bradford T Winslow

  • 1Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO 80113, USA. kmills1@uwyo.edu

American Family Physician
|June 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pneumonia in nursing homes causes significant illness and death. Treatment requires broad-spectrum antibiotics targeting various bacteria, including drug-resistant strains, with careful dosing and consideration of drug interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in nursing home residents.
  • Thirty-day mortality rates for nursing home-acquired pneumonia range from 10% to 30%.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline appropriate antibiotic therapy for nursing home-acquired pneumonia.
  • To emphasize the importance of targeting a broad range of organisms, including drug-resistant microbes.
  • To highlight considerations for antibiotic dosing and drug interactions in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common pathogens causing nursing home-acquired pneumonia.
  • Analysis of recommended antibiotic regimens for nursing home residents.
  • Consideration of treatment for hospitalized patients with nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

Main Results:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause, but Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative organisms are frequent in severe cases.
  • Recommended treatments include antipneumococcal fluoroquinolones or beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors/cephalosporins with azithromycin for nursing home residents.
  • Hospitalized patients require broad-spectrum antibiotics covering gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including MRSA.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic selection for nursing home-acquired pneumonia must consider common and resistant pathogens.
  • Appropriate dosing and awareness of drug interactions are crucial for effective and safe treatment.
  • Effective management of nursing home-acquired pneumonia is vital to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following: