Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly: Guidelines for Hospitalization
Jacob Feldman, Abraham Yarezky, Carola Vigder
Geriatric. Dept., Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba and Sakler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
A prospective study was carried out among elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia to determine if there are any specific features that could help in deciding whether to hospitalize, or to treat in the community. We concluded that there is no correlation between clinical presentation of pneumonia and outcome, except for impairment of consciousness. Laboratory data showed a correlation between oxygen saturation in arterial blood, levels of hemoglobin and albumin, and outcome. Sputum culture was not helpful in deciding about diagnosis and treatment, which remain empiric. These patients should be treated at home if conditions permit. Recommendations are made for improving such conditions.