IBCC - severe community acquired pneumonia

  • pneumonia is community acquired when within first 48 hours of admission
  • ddx
    • aspiration pneumonitis: CXR clears up in 2 days, procalcitonin low
    • COPD: can have both pna and COPD. Will need to treat both. Procal usually low
  • sputum
    • needs < 10 squamous epithelial cells and > 25 WBC to be useful
    • multiple different bacteria usually means contaminates