New method to reduce length of stay for patients with pneumonia
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine describes a new safe and effective method to reduce the duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy and the length of hospital stay for patients with pneumonia. This strategy would help to optimize the care of hospitalized patients with pneumonia and reduce the hospital costs. The study has been coordinated by Jordi Carratalà, lecturer at the Department of Clinical Sciences of the UB, researcher at IDIBELL and coordinator of the Infectious Diseases Department at Bellvitge University Hospital, affiliated centres to HUBc, the health campus of the University of Barcelona.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine describes a new safe and effective method to reduce the duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy and the length of hospital stay for patients with pneumonia. This strategy would help to optimize the care of hospitalized patients with pneumonia and reduce the hospital costs. The study has been coordinated by Jordi Carratalà, lecturer at the Department of Clinical Sciences of the UB, researcher at IDIBELL and coordinator of the Infectious Diseases Department at Bellvitge University Hospital, affiliated centres to HUBc, the health campus of the University of Barcelona.
The studied procedure is divided into three steps. The first is the early mobilization of the patient, from horizontal to upright position. The second step comprises the switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics. Finally, the third step is to decide appropriateness for hospital discharge. Researchers conclude that the use of this new three-step method is safe and effective in reducing the duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy and hospital stay for patients with pneumonia.