Clinical and microbiological features of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and microbiological features in patients with nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP), admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: Demographic, clinical and microbiological data were retrospectively reviewed from patients with NHCAP admitted to a respiratory ICU. Patients were categorized into one of four NHCAP groups: (A) residence in a long-term nursing-home setting or healthcare home; (B) hospital discharge in the preceding 90 days; (C) elderly or physically disabled patients who stay at home but require healthcare; (D) continuously receiving outpatient endovascular therapy including chronic dialysis, anticancer drugs, and immunosuppressants. Pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB-65, duration of ICU stay and 30-day mortality were evaluated.

Results: Out of 428 patients reviewed (male, 67.1%; mean age, 71.2 ± 11.9 years), 30-day mortality was 25.5%, and duration of ICU stay was 13.8 ± 13.3 days. Mortality rate was not significantly different between the four NHCAP groups; duration of ICU stay was significantly longer in groups C and D. PSI score, serum HCO3(-) level, duration of ICU stay, extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and multidrug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii were significantly associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusion: ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, MDR A. baumannii and PSI score should be considered in ICU patients with NHCAP.