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Risk Factors of Falcone et al for Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia (HCAP)

Description

Falcone et al listed a number of risk factors that may increase a patient's risk of a healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). A patient with risk factors may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from the University of Rome, Nagoya University in Japan, and Washington University in St. Louis.


 

Risk factors for HCAP include:

(1) a hospital stay >= 2 days in the past 90 days (3 months)

(2) residence in a nursing home or long-term care facility

(3) hemodialysis

(4) home intravenous therapy

(5) impaired host defenses

 

where:

• Some authors use a longer window, up to a year.

 

Impaired host defenses may include:

(1) immunosuppressive therapy

(2) immunodeficiency, including HIV

(3) transplantation

(4) recent chemotherapy

(5) other cause of neutropenia

 

It is important to evaluate the pathogen causing the HCAP for evidence of antibiotic resistance.

 


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