title: Diagnosis and treatment of nosocomial pneumonia.
abstract: Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) occurs frequently and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Its diagnosis, however, is difficult. The combination of clinical, radiographical and microbiological criteria may overestimate the true incidence of the infection. Although recently introduced techniques, such as bronchoscopy, probably increase the specificity for diagnosing NP, it remains to be established whether the use of these techniques improves patient outcome or decreases unnecessary antibiotic use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonten
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Stobberingh
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D015363:Quinolones