Nursing home-acquired pneumonia

Abstract

Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia is a significant infection that is often seen in the long-term care setting. It is associated with substantial morbidity, healthcare expenditure, and mortality rates as high as 44%. Uniform diagnosis and therapeutic strategies have not been specifically established for pneumonia in the nursing home setting. This paper will update the long-term care provider with the unique features and challenges of pneumonia in this setting and review the approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this important illness. The discussion will conclude with details regarding overall prevention of nursing home-acquired pneumonia and the critical role played by the nursing home medical director in this process.