Healthcare-associated pneumonia in adults: management principles to improve outcomes

Patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia include those with hospital-acquired pneumonia, those with ventilator-associated pneumonia, those who were hospitalized in an acute care hospital for at least 2 days within 90 days of the infection, and those who have resided in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens may result in a delay in initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy, which in turn may increase patient morbidity and mortality and hospital costs. This article primarily addresses principles of management to improve patient outcomes and reduce the emergence of MDR pathogens.