Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
Guidelines adherence for patients with community acquired pneumonia in a Greek hospital
C Triantafyllidis1, V Kapordelis, G S Papaetis
13rd Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodestrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Background And Objectives:
Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with significant economical and social cost. Adherence to the international guidelines for the empiric treatment of CAP can improve patients' prognosis, reduces the need and shortens the length for hospitalization. However, adherence to guidelines varies among physicians.
Material And Methods:
We performed a prospective observational study in 252 immunocompetent hospitalized patients so as to investigate whether the 2003 Infectious Diseases Society of America update of practice guidelines and the Greek national guidelines for CAP are followed by chest physicians working in "Sotiria" General Hospital in Athens, Greece.
Results:
Total mortality rate was 12.3%. One hundred twenty (48%) patients were admitted to the Hospital, despite the fact that they were classified as risk class I or II according to the Fine criteria. Accordance to CAP guidelines, as far as the initial antibiotic regimen is concerned, was found to be poor (152 patients, 60%). A trend towards a shorter length of hospitalization was observed in patients treated with an initial antibiotic regimen in accordance to guidelines compared to those receiving an initial antibiotic regimen in discordance to guidelines.
Discussion:
The implementation of CAP guidelines by chest physicians working in a Greek Hospital for Thoracic Diseases is poor. Improvement of adherence to guidelines may shorten the length of hospitalization and reduce the financial burden for the National Health System.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
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: Management
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:
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia I: Introduction
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 Assessment
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...