Acute nosocomial pneumonia is broadly defined as pneumonia characterized by a new and persistent infiltrate (radiographically present for greater than 48 hours) PLUS one of the following:
- Positive pleural or blood culture for the same organism as that recovered in respiratory secretions
- Radiographic evidence of cavitation or necrosis
- Histopathologic evidence of pneumonia
- Two of the following:
-
- Core temperature > 38.3 °C
- Blood leukocytes > 10,000 cells/mL
- Purulent tracheal secretions
References:
- Kollef MH. What is ventilator-associated pneumonia and why is it important? Respir Care. 2005 Jun;50(6):714-21. [Medline]
- American Thoracic Society; Infectious Diseases Society of America. Guidelines for the management of adults with hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and healthcare-associated pneumonia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Feb 15;171(4):388-416. [Medline]
Created: Jul 31, 2009
