Performance Measures
Pneumonia: Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It affects the lower respiratory tract. This includes small bronchi (airways) and air sacs in the lungs.  There are three main causes:

  • Bacterial pneumonia - caused by bacteria, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Viral pneumonia - caused by a virus
  • Atypical bacterial pneumonia - often called "walking pneumonia," but can cause a more serious or potentially fatal pneumonia
  • Fungal infections, such as infections that are common in people with AIDS
Pneumonias are sometimes described by where it was acquired and how you were exposed to it:
  • Community-acquired pneumonia - cquired in the community (eg, at school, work, gym)
  • Nosocomial pneumonia - acquired during a hospitalization
  • Aspiration pneumonia - happens when a foreign matter (often stomach content) is inhaled

Why is this important?

Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease, which can result in a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Smoking causes your blood vessels to thicken. Fat and plaque then stick to the wall of your blood vessels, which makes it harder for blood to flow. Reduced blood flow to your heart may result in chest pain, high blood pressure, and an increased heart rate. Smoking is linked to lung disease and cancer, and can cause premature death. It is important for your health that you get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital.

How are we doing at providing the best care for patients suffering from pneumonia?

These measures show the percentage of time our pneumonia patients who have smoked within the last year are receiving smoking cessation education during their hospitalization.

IP PN: Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling 

This graph shows that 100% of the time our pneumonia patients who have smoked within the last year are receiving smoking cessation education during their hospitalization. The top performing hospitals across the nation are performing at 100%.

What efforts are in place to improve performance?

We continue to look at our performance on a monthly basis to assure we continue to meet the highest quality standards.

References:

rev. 4-18-12