Community-Acquired Pneumonia

This category of evidence-based measures assesses the overall quality of care provided to our pneumonia patients. Nationally recognized indicators of quality have been established for the diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia. These quality indicators are being utilized by The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) for public reporting efforts. 

Pneumococcal Vaccination: This measure reports how many patients 65 years and older were screened and vaccinated to prevent pneumonia.

Blood cultures Obtained before Antibiotics Given: Before antibiotics are given, blood samples are taken to test for the type of infection. This measure reports the percent of pneumonia patients admitted through our emergency department who received this test before antibiotics were given. 

Adult Smoking Cessation Counseling (Pneumonia Patients): This measure reports what percent of adult pneumonia patients are provided advice and/or counseling to quit smoking.  Smoking harms the heart, lungs and blood vessels and makes existing disease worse.  

Antibiotic Timing: This measure reports how long a pneumonia patient was in our hospital before they were given antibiotics.  Antibiotics are generally given as soon as possible to pneumonia patients to speed their recovery.