A rapid surveillance of pneumonia in hospitalized patients: an opportunity for intervention

Most evaluations of the burden of pneumonia in hospitalized patients are partial and concern specific subgroups of patients. However, few studies allow for the assessment of the global scope of the problem and the potential for intervention with guidance that could improve its diagnosis and treatment. This descriptive study conducted in a tertiary-care center aimed to determine the prevalence of pneumonia in hospitalized adults, to characterize its origins and etiology, and to evaluate the feasibility of a telematic intervention to advise on its diagnosis and treatment. A prevalence study was performed on the 653 adult inpatients admitted in July 2025. The pneumonia prevalence per 1,000 admitted patients was overall 36.8, community-acquired 24.5, nosocomial non-ventilator-associated 9.2, and nosocomial ventilator-associated 3.1. An etiological agent was identified in 29.2% of cases. In a critical review of the cases, opportunities to optimize either diagnosis or treatment were detected in 100% of pneumonia patients. After 30 days of dynamic follow-up of the selected cohort, overall mortality was 16.7%.