Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Hospital-acquired pneumonia(HAP)is one of common causes of hospital-associated infections.Because of the higher prevalence and mortality in elderly patients,HAP has been becoming the challenge for the clinicians.HAP is highly associated with host status,pathogen(particularly the occurrence of multidrug resistant pathogens),and the extensive use of antibiotics.The diagnostics should include clinical and bacteriologic strategies.The initial therapy with antibiotics should consider whether HAP was early-onset or late-onset and cover the potential pathogens.The quantitative or semiquantitative cultures of the samples from low respiratory tracts are used to direct the target and step down therapy.The prevention of HAP in the elderly patients is a priority.