Hospital-acquired pneumonia and its management

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Classifying the patient's pneumonia by the presence or absence of risk factors helps determine what organisms need to be considered as etiologic agents so that empiric antibiotic therapy can be initiated while cultures are pending. Medical care personnel can also use preventive strategies to help decrease the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. This article will discuss pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and prevention of HAP.