How should we make the admission decision in community-acquired pneumonia?

Variations in admission decision making exist among hospitals and individual physicians. Prognostic scoring systems and clinical practice guidelines estimate a pneumonia patient's risk of mortality or the occurrence of adverse outcomes and may support clinicians in making the admission decision. Successful implementation and dissemination in a variety of clinical settings has, however, been slow. Integrated, real-time computerized decision support systems might help promote implementation and dissemination efforts. In addition to the risk of mortality, important socio-psychologic factors are often present and influence the admission decision.