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.