Preventing Pneumonia
in the Hospital
Keep Your Lungs Healthy to Lower Infection Risk
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by a variety of germs, including bacteria (like Streptococcus pneumoniae), viruses (like the flu or RSV), and even fungi.
While anyone can get pneumonia, certain groups are at higher risk. Unfortunately, hospital patients are one of these higher-risk groups. Patients who have had a surgical procedure, have limited mobility, and spend a lot of time in bed face a higher risk of getting hospital-associated pneumonia (HAP).
Luckily, there are steps you can take to help prevent HAP.
What is HAP?
HAP is defined as pneumonia that develops in a hospital setting, meaning it's not present at the time of admission. To be considered HAP, symptoms must appear at least 48 hours after the patient's hospital admission. HAP is typically caused by bacteria and can be a serious infection, especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Other increased risk factors include being on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, ICU stay, and other underlying illnesses.
Preventing HAP
Practicing good hygiene goes a long way in helping prevent HAP, but there are many other steps you and your healthcare team can take to reduce your risk.
Your healthcare team should:
• Clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol sanitizer before and after touching you or your equipment.
• Keep the head of your bed elevated between 30 and 45 degrees.
• Assess the condition of your mouth and assist with daily mouth care, including daily toothbrushing.
• Teach you to turn, cough, and breathe deeply.
• Teach you how to use an incentive spirometer, if needed.
• Encourage you to get out of bed and move as much as possible.
• Evaluate how you swallow.
• Screen you for the pneumonia and influenza vaccines, if needed.
• Help you with breathing.
Clear Your Lungs
Breathing exercises, like coughing, taking deep breaths, and using an incentive spirometer can keep your airways open and prevent fluid buildup in your lungs.
What you can do:
Quit smoking.
Keep the head of your bed raised so that your lungs don’t retain fluid.
Brush your teeth and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.
Reposition yourself in bed often to keep fluid from pooling in your lungs.
Take care when swallowing so you don’t get food or liquid into your lungs instead of your throat.
If you were instructed on the use of an incentive spirometer, use it at least once every hour.
Get out of bed and move around as soon as your doctor says you can.
Get pneumonia and influenza vaccines if your doctor recommends them.
Ask visitors to wash their hands when they come into your room.
How is HAP Treated?
HAP can be very serious. Most of the time, it can be treated with antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics depends on which specific germs are causing the infection. Your healthcare provider will decide which antibiotic is best. If you have questions, please ask your doctor or nurse.
Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. ]
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