pulmonary disorders
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia
Key Points
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is pneumonia that develops at least 48 hours after hospital admission in patients not receiving mechanical ventilation. Likely pathogens differ from those causing community-acquired pneumonia and may require initial empiric antibiotic therapy that is active against antibiotic-resistant organisms. Diagnosis is difficult, with culture of a potential pathogen from pleural fluid or blood being the most specific finding. Reassess patients 2 to 3 days after initiation of treatment, and change antibiotics based on available culture and clinical data. 