|
pneumonia patients given blood culture prior to antibiotic |
| RMC Current |
|
|
| RMC Last Reported |
|
|
| Kentucky |
|
|
| National |
|
|
| Top Scores* |
|
|
| |
0 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
80 |
100 |
*Represents the top 10% of scores for this indicator nationally.
RMC Current data during: Apr 2007 - Mar 2008
RMC Last Reported data during: April 2005 - March 2006
Kentucky, National and Top Hospital data during: April 2005 - March 2006
Why is this important?
Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a test that lets the health care provider know which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. It is best to do the blood culture within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital and before antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics as soon as possible. A blood culture lets your health care provider know how to best treat you and if any precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of your illness.
Higher percentages are better
Information about Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. As the lungs fill with fluid, oxygen has more and more trouble reaching your blood and a whole series of events may occur that can eventually kill.
Pneumonia is caused by a viral or bacterial infection that fills your lungs with mucus. This lowers the oxygen level in your blood. Symptoms of pneumonia can include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- "Wet" cough. Your mucus may look green or bloody.
- Chest pain
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
This information comes from the quality data submitted by hospitals to Medicare’s Clinical Data Warehouse for inpatient discharges during the time period April 2005 - March 2006. Regional Medical Center Current Data represents data from April 2007 - May 2007.
