Early Intervention for the Pneumonia Patient: An Emergency Department Triage Protocol
Preventing Nosocomial Pneumonia
I. Background/Rationale
Pneumonia is a respiratory disease that causes an inflammation of the lung parenchyma commonly caused by microbial agents such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The disease is acquired through inhalation of the microorganism in respiratory droplets, as well as aspiration of secretions in the upper gastrointestinal tract that contains bacteria capable of causing pneumonia. It can be categorized into community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia. The main difference between the two is the length of time it took for the patient to exhibit signs and symptoms of pneumonia. If the patient shows signs of pneumonia within 72 hours of admission into the hospital, then the patient is classified in the community-acquired pneumonia category. The 72 hours period represents the incubation period that it takes for the bacteria to cause the signs and symptoms that the patient experiences.
Pneumonia is a very common respiratory disease in the Philippines. Therefore, it will not be uncommon for a medical-surgical ward to have patients with this condition. As a student nurse, I am interested in the management of patients with pneumonia, especially in those patients with community-acquired type as well as the prevention of the hospital-acquired pneumonia.
II. Problem Statement
What is the difference in the focus of management between patients who have community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia?
How does the nurse manage patients with community-acquired pneumonia?
o What are some of the skills in which a nurse has to be very proficient in order to provide quality nursing care for these patients?
How does the nurse manage patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia?
o What are some of the skills in which a nurse
Bibliography: 2Weitzel, T., Robinson, S. and Holmes, J. (2006). Preventing Nosocomial Pneumonia. American Journal of, Vol. 106, No.9, pg.72A-72G