Hartford Hospital set out in 2005 to increase the rate at which it screened and vaccinated eligible patients for pneumonia. A broad and concerted education program coupled with a new protocol which encompassed pneumonia vaccine screening at admission and at any time during a hospital stay. Nurses were allowed to generate the protocol – with the full support of the departments of Medicine and Infectious Diseases.  The rate of screening/vaccination increased from 20.7% in January, 2005 to 90% by October, 2006.

 

Pneumonia is one of the most common illnesses dealt with by clinicians in the United States and around the world. It can be especially serious for individuals with immune systems compromised by old age, sickness or both. The overall annual mortality from pneumonia in the U.S. is 58,564 (National Center for Health Statistics, 2004) and pneumonia accounts for 5.4 percent of hospital deaths each year (National Hospital Discharge Survey, 2004). 

 

There is increasing concern about pneumonia because, as the population ages, a larger percentage of Americans will be at risk for serious complications from pneumonia. In addition, drug-resistant organisms are on the rise. And as the number and severity of cases increase, so does the cost of care.