Quality Indicators for Pneumonia Treatment
The following are some of the best medical practices for treating pneumonia as outlined by the Federal Government. A best medical practice is a treatment that has been proven to provide the best results for most patients. These treatments are considered an important part of the patient's overall care.

Best practice calls for hospitals to make sure pneumonia patients get the following care:

Initial Antibiotic Timing:
Patients should receive an antibiotic, or combination of antibiotics, to treat pneumonia as soon as possible (usually within four (4) hours), unless they are allergic to antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat the kind of pneumonia caused by bacteria.

Oxygenation Assessment:
Patients oxygen levels in their blood should be measured by doing an oxygenation assessment within 24 hours of arrival to the hospital.

The oxygenation assessment may include one or both of the following tests:

1. Pulse oximetry ( electrodes are attached to a part of the body like a finger).
2. ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) which in a test that requires the drawing of blood from an artery of the patient, usually one in the wrist.

Pneumococcal Vaccination:
Patients should receive a pneumonia vaccine if they have not had one before they leave the hospital. A pneumonia vaccine is a shot that may help prevent pneumonia in the future.

Pneumonia Quality Score Card
The ultimate goal for each indicator is 100%, and the staff of Bedford Regional Medical Center are continually working toward achieving that goal.