[Patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia: a comparative study of outcomes by medical specialty area].

Objective: Variability in the management of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is attributable to many factors. The objective of this study was to determine whether such variability is influenced by the medical specialty area where the patient is treated.

Patients And Methods: The treatment and outcomes for a random sample of patients with CAP admitted to 4 hospitals over 2 periods (1 year starting March 1, 1998, and 1.

Management of community-acquired pneumonia and secular trends at different hospitals.

Study Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess variability in the management of patients admitted to hospitals with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and changes in secular trends of this condition.

Methods: Observational study carried out, in 5 teaching hospitals, in northern Spain of patients admitted with CAP between March 1,1998 and March 1,1999 (baseline period), and between March 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001 (follow-up period). Clinical histories were analyzed retrospectively for relevant parameters for process-of-care and outcome performance.

Improvement of process-of-care and outcomes after implementing a guideline for the management of community-acquired pneumonia: a controlled before-and-after design study.

Background: Studies investigating the impact of guideline implementation for inpatient management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) usually have methodological limitations. We present a controlled study that compared interventions before and after the implementation of a practice guideline.

Methods: Clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as process-of-care and outcome indicators, were recorded for all patients with CAP who were admitted to Galdakao Hospital (Galdakao, Spain) in the 19-month period after the implementation, on 1 March 2000, of a guideline for the treatment of CAP.