ATS/IDSA Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Guideline Summary

Diagnosis

1. Gram Stain

We recommend NOT obtaining sputum Gram stain and culture routinely in adults with CAP managed in the outpatient setting. (S, VL)

620

We recommend obtaining pretreatment Gram stain and culture of respiratory secretions in adults with CAP managed in the hospital setting who:

1. are classified as severe CAP (see Table 1), especially if they are intubated or (S, VL)

620

2.a. are being empirically treated for MRSA or P. aeruginosa (strong recommendation, very low quality of evidence) or (S, VL)

620

2.b. were previously infected with MRSA or P. aeruginosa, especially those with prior respiratory tract infection (conditional recommendation, very low quality of evidence) or (C, VL)

620

2.c. were hospitalized and received parenteral antibiotics in the last 90 days. (C, VL)

620

Treatment

5. Procalcitonin

We recommend that empiric antibiotic therapy should be initiated in adults with clinically suspected and radiographically confirmed CAP regardless of initial serum procalcitonin level. (S, M)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Diagnosis

1. Gram Stain

Treatment

5. Procalcitonin

Overview

Title

Authoring Organizations