Thorax
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the effect of diagnostic methodology on the reported incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The optimal method for diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is controversial and its effect on reported incidence uncertain. This study aimed to model the impact of using either endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage on the reported incidence of pneumonia and then to test effects suggested from theoretical modelling in clinical practice. ⋯ Diagnostic technique impacts significantly on reported VAP incidence and potentially on antibiotic use.
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Multicenter Study
Development of a prognostic index for 90-day mortality in patients discharged after admission to hospital for community-acquired pneumonia.
Although patients admitted to hospital for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) experience substantial short-term mortality following hospital discharge, few studies have focused on identifying factors that predict mortality after admission to hospital in this population. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a prognostic index for 90-day mortality after hospital discharge among patients with CAP. ⋯ The prognostic index accurately stratifies patients admitted to hospital for CAP into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups for 90-day mortality on discharge. The use of this index could help clinicians improve outcomes in this vulnerable population by targeting specific interventions to each group.