Predictors of timely antibiotic administration for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia from the cluster-randomized EDCAP trial.
BACKGROUND
To identify factors associated with timely initiation of antibiotic therapy for patients hospitalized with pneumonia.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Thirty- two emergency departments (EDs) in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.


METHODS
Patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia.


METHODS
From January to December 2001, EDs were randomly allocated to guideline implementation strategies of low (n = 8), moderate (n = 12), and high intensity (n = 12) to improve the initial site of treatment and the performance of evidence-based processes of care. Our primary outcome was antibiotic initiation within 4 hours of presentation, which at that time was the recommended process of care for inpatients.


RESULTS
Of the 2076 inpatients enrolled, 1632 (78.6%) received antibiotic therapy within 4 hours of presentation. Antibiotic timeliness ranged from 55.6% to 100% (P < 0.001) by ED and from 77.0% to 79.7% (P = 0.2) across the 3 guideline implementation arms. In multivariable analysis, heart rate > or =125 per minute (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3), respiratory rate > or =30 per minute (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4), and aspiration pneumonia (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.1-12.7) were positively associated with timely initiation of antibiotic therapy, whereas a hematocrit <30% (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-1.0) was negatively associated with this outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Timely initiation of antibiotic therapy is associated primarily with patient-related factors that reflect severity of illness at presentation. Although this study demonstrates an opportunity to improve performance on this quality measure in nearly one quarter of inpatients with pneumonia, we failed to identify any modifiable patient, provider, or hospital level factors to target in such quality improvement efforts.
Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206, USA.
Douglas J
DJ
Hsu
Roslyn A
RA
Stone
D Scott
DS
Obrosky
Donald M
DM
Yealy
Thomas P
TP
Meehan
Jonathan M
JM
Fine
Louis G
LG
Graff
Michael J
MJ
Fine
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents