The term, Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia (HCAP), is out of date clinically and does not code effectively to track illness of your patient
Background
• American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America “recommend abandoning use of the prior categorization of healthcareassociated pneumonia (HCAP)… studies have demonstrated that the factors used to define HCAP do not predict high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in most settings.”
• “Although there is limited evidence to support the use of a specific set of risk factors to identify patients with sufficiently high risk of MRSA or P. aeruginosa to warrant extended-spectrum therapy, a stronger evidence base guides de-escalation of therapy after extended spectrum therapy is initially prescribed.”
Documentation Recommendation
• Do not use the term Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia (HCAP).
• Allow your choice of antibiotic to drive your documentation. Document as follows:
- Zosyn, to treat suspected gram negative (pseudomonas) pneumonia
- Vancomycin, to treat suspected MRSA pneumonia
Download the complete tip, Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia (HCAP).