McGeer et al developed criteria to identify pneumonia or other lower respiratory tract infections (bronchitis or tracheobronchitis) in a patient at a long term care facility.
Criteria for pneumonia – all of the following:
(1) chest radiograph demonstrating an infiltrate or pneumonia. If a previous radiograph is available, the current infiltrate should be new.
(2) 2 or more of the signs and symptoms associated with lower respiratory tract infections (below)
(3) exclusion of other causes that could explain these findings
Criteria for "other" lower respiratory tract infection – 3 or more of the following in the absence of radiographic evidence of pneumonia:
(1) new or increased cough
(2) new or increased sputum production
(3) fever with temperature >= 38°C
(4) pleuritic chest pain
(5) new or increased physical findings on chest examination (rales, rhonchi, wheezing, bronchial breathing)
(6) at least one of the following:
(a) new or increased shortness of breath
(b) respiratory rate > 25 breaths per minute
(c) worsening mental or cognitive status
(d) worsening functional status (deterioration in the patient's ability to carry out activities of daily living)
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