Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 33, Issue 5 , Pages 301-307, September 2004

Short-term outcomes and their predictors for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

  • Pamela Vecchiarino, RN, MS

      Affiliations

    • Medical Pulmonary Unit, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
    • ,
  • Richard W. Bohannon, PT, EdD, NCS (FAHA)

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
    • Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Richard W Bohannon, PT, EdD, NCS, FAHA, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health, U-2101, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA.
    • ,
  • Jenifer Ferullo, APRN, MSN

      Affiliations

    • Medical Pulmonary Unit, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
    • ,
  • Rose Maljanian, RN, MBA,

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Abstract 

Purpose

This study of patients who were hospitalized with pneumonia describes 4 short-term outcomes and the relative value of 4 variables for predicting the outcomes.

Method

We prospectively documented 4 short-term outcomes (hospital length of stay, discharge location, death, 30-day readmission) among 213 adults (mean age = 72.5 years) with pneumonia who were admitted to the hospital. Relationships between the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), preadmission walking, malnutrition, grip strength, and outcomes were examined with correlations and multiple logistic regression.

Results

The mean (SD) hospital stay was 8.8 (10.4) days. Many patients (51.6%) were not discharged to their homes; 13.6% died during admission or within 30 days of discharge. Of 205 patients discharged alive, 23.9% were readmitted within 30 days. All predictor variables correlated significantly with length of stay, discharge, and death. Except for grip strength, all predictor variables correlated significantly with readmission. Regression showed that the PSI contributed significantly to the prediction of all outcomes but that other variables also contributed (R2 = .099 [readmitted] to .484 [discharged to home]).

Conclusions

Because malnutrition and physical performance measures independently predicted or added to the PSI’s prediction of untoward outcomes, the measures merit inclusion when assessing patients with pneumonia.

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PII: S0147-9563(04)00102-5

doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2004.03.007

Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 33, Issue 5 , Pages 301-307, September 2004

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