Common pathogens include: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae
Collect sputum cultures for patients with alcohol abuse, structural lung disease, cavitary infiltrates, severe illness, or recent antibiotic use.
Collect a nasopharyngeal swab in hospitalized patients with viral prodome or influenza like illness.
Collect blood cultures with severe disease and in patients who are immunocompromised or patients with cavitating lung disease or chronic liver disease.
Perform a severity assessment using the CRB-65 score.
Duration of treatment should be a minimum of 5 days.
Patient should be offered influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations prior to discharge if applicable.
Assess severity and risk stratify using CRB-65 and clinical judgement.
This algorithm does not apply to patients with complicating factors (significant structural lung disease, hospitalization, antimicrobial therapy in preceding 90 days, or colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms).
Guidelines