Baseline, follow up and outcome measurements Patients were followed for a maximum of 28 days. On admission, a complete physical examination, chest radiography and blood sampling for arterial blood gas analysis and for hematological and biochemical analysis were performed. Demographic data, initial intravenous therapy and clinical data were recorded. During the follow-up period, in-hospital clinical data were recorded. Clinical stability was evaluated after 3 days of intravenous therapy in both study groups and discharge criteria (temperature < 37.8 oC, saturation >92%, normal blood pressure, heart rate < 100/min, respiratory rate < 25/min, absence of mental confusion and ability to take oral medication ) were evaluated daily thereafter. If patients were discharged within 28 days after admission they were asked to return to the out-patient clinic 28 days after inclusion, where history, physical examination, blood chemistry analysis and a chest X-ray were taken and health-care consumption after discharge was recorded.