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The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the association between gender and clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) since data thus far are controversial.Data from a convenience sample of ICU patients with HAP, including ventilator-associated and health care-associated pneumonia, were retrospectively collected from four academic institutions (Improving Medicine through Pathway Assessment of Critical Therapy in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia [IMPACT-HAP] study). Outcomes included 28-day mortality, clinical failure at day 14, hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), and duration of mechanical ventilation. We compared baseline characteristics and performed multivariate analysis to identify factors independently associated with mortality.Among 416 patients, 271 were men and 145 were women. Women were older (62.4±16.9 vs. 55.7±16.5 years, p0.001) and more critically ill, with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores of 21 vs. 19 (p=0.004). Day-28 mortality was 30% for women and 24% for men (p=0.25). Increased 28-day mortality was associated with severity of illness, age, ventilator-associated pneumonia, vascular disease, and hospital LOS prior to pneumonia diagnosis. No significant differences were found in the distribution of bacteria pathogens or in clinical failure rates (36% vs. 31%) between genders. Duration in days of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS and hospital LOS after the diagnosis of pneumonia were not significantly different between men and women. Analyzing data for women based on presumed pre- or postmenopausal status (age breakpoint of 50 years), showed an increased in ICU LOS (15 vs. 25 days; p=0.0026) and hospital LOS (22 vs. 30 days; p=0.05) for women ≤50 years. No differences were noted in 28-day mortality (24.3% vs. 13.1%; p=0.18) in women ≤50 years of age.In ICU patients with pneumonia, female gender was not associated with worse outcomes or increased resource utilization compared to male gender. Further studies are needed to evaluate menopausal status and outcomes in women with pneumonia.

SummaryObjectiveTo compare demographic and clinical characteristics, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain characteristics, in patients with early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) MRSA nosocomial pneumonia.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of data from a multicenter observational study of nosocomial pneumonia patients admitted between November 2008 and July 2010. Laboratory analyses performed on MRSA isolates included confirmation of antimicrobial susceptibility and heteroresistance to vancomycin, USA typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, and detection of Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes.ResultsWe identified 134 patients; 42 (31%) had EO MRSA pneumonia and 92 (69%) had LO MRSA pneumonia. The patients in the LO group were more likely to have risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens (98% vs. 76%, p

Summary Background The American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America provide guidelines for management of hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and health-care-associated pneumonias, consisting of empirical antibiotic regimens for patients at risk for multidrug-resistant pathogens. We aimed to improve compliance with these guidelines and assess outcomes. Methods We implemented a performance-improvement initiative in four academic medical centres in the USA with protocol-based education and prospective observation of outcomes. Patients were assessed for severity of illness and followed up until death, hospital discharge, or day 28. We included patients in intensive-care units who were at risk for multidrug-resistant pneumonia and were treated empirically. Findings 303 patients at risk for multidrug-resistant pneumonia were treated empirically, and prescribed treatment was guideline compliant in 129 patients and non-compliant in 174 patients. 44 (34%) patients died before 28 days in the compliance group and 35 (20%) died in the non-compliance group. Five patients in the compliance group and seven in the non-compliance group were lost to follow-up after day 14. Kaplan-Meier estimated survival to 28 days was 65% in the compliance group and 79% in the non-compliance group (p=0·0042). This difference persisted after adjustment for severity of illness. Median length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation did not differ between groups. Compliance failures included non-use of dual treatment for Gram-negative pathogens in 154 patients and absence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus coverage in 24 patients. For patients in whom pathogens were subsequently identified, empirical treatment was active in 79 (81%) of 97 of patients receiving compliant therapy compared with 109 (85%) of 128 of patients receiving non-compliant therapy. Interpretation Because adherence with empirical treatment was associated with increased mortality, we recommend a randomised trial be done before further implementation of these guidelines. Funding Pfizer, US Medical.

Introduction In 2005 the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) published guidelines for managing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). Although recommendations were evidence based, collective guidelines had not been validated in clinical practice and did not provide specific tools for local implementation. We initiated a performance improvement project designated Improving Medicine Through Pathway Assessment of Critical Therapy in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (IMPACT-HAP) at four academic centers in the United States. Our objectives were to develop and implement the project, and to assess compliance with quality indicators in adults admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with HAP, VAP, or HCAP. Methods The project was conducted in three phases over 18 consecutive months beginning 1 February 2006: 1) a three-month planning period for literature review to create the consensus pathway for managing nosocomial pneumonia in these ICUs, a data collection form, quality performance indicators, and internet-based repository; 2) a six-month implementation period for customizing ATS/IDSA guidelines into center-specific guidelines via educational forums; and 3) a nine-month post-implementation period for continuing education and data collection. Data from the first two phases were combined (pre-implementation period) and compared with data from the post-implementation period. Results We developed a consensus pathway based on ATS/IDSA guidelines and customized it at the local level to accommodate formulary and microbiologic considerations. We implemented multimodal educational activities to teach ICU staff about the guidelines and continued education throughout post-implementation. We registered 432 patients (pre- vs post-implementation, 274 vs 158). Diagnostic criteria for nosocomial pneumonia were more likely to be met during post-implementation (247/257 (96.1%) vs 150/151 (99.3%); P = 0.06). Similarly, empiric antibiotics were more likely to be compliant with ATS/IDSA guidelines during post-implementation (79/257 (30.7%) vs 66/151 (43.7%); P = 0.01), an effect that was sustained over quarterly intervals (P = 0.0008). Between-period differences in compliance with obtaining cultures and use of de-escalation were not statistically significant. Conclusions Developing a multi-center performance improvement project to operationalize ATS/IDSA guidelines for HAP, VAP, and HCAP is feasible with local consensus pathway directives for implementation and with quality indicators for monitoring compliance with guidelines.

We developed an ICU performance improvement project to evaluate patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) using the 2005 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. Below is a descriptive analysis of the patients enrolled and their outcomes.