Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Definition
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is an infection of the lungs contracted during a hospital stay.
Alternative Names
Nosocomial pneumonia; Ventilator-associated pneumonia
Causes
Pneumonia is a very common illness. It is caused by many different germs and can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia tends to be more serious, because a patient's defense mechanisms against infection are often impaired during a hospital stay. In addition, the types of germs present in a hospital are frequently more dangerous than those encountered in the community. Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs more commonly in patients who require a respirator to help them breathe. It is also known as ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia include:
- Alcoholism
- Being on a breathing machine
- Immunosuppression from medications or disease
- Inhaling material into the lungs (aspiration)
- Older age
- Recent illness
References
American Thoracic Society. Guidelines for the management of adults with hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and healthcare-associated pneumonia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Feb 15;171(4):388-416.
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