1	COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA CARE
2	HCMH Commitment to Quality Patient Care Hill Country Memorial Health System and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together on a public accountability project designed to improve hospital services. Hill Country Memorial has been submitting health care data to CMS as part of a national move to provide the public with certain statistics that allow comparisons of care related to specific diagnoses such as outcomes for pneumonia, heart failure, heart attack and surgical care improvement. We believe that such public disclosure can only result in better health care in this country, and we support public disclosure of information related to the quality of care for our patients. This data comparison helps us as well, allowing us to set benchmarks and goals and see where we are in regard to regional and state averages. Sometimes, we see too few eligible cases in a particular reporting area to calculate a reliable statistic. In these instances, we will label the results accordingly. Even in these cases, however, we see this reporting process as offering opportunities to improve care. We welcome these opportunities. If you want more in-depth information, you may visit www.healthgrades.com and www.medicare.gov/Hospital..
3	Signs and Symptoms of Community Acquired Pneumonia Fever/chills Cough Chest pains Green or rust colored sputum Shortness of breath Headache Weakness
4	HCMH Goal For Community Acquired Pneumonia Patients Our goal is to provide patients with the highest level of care available by incorporating into our treatment plans the use of nationally accepted, evidence-based guidelines.
5	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Oxygen Assessment Within 24 Hours of Arrival: Pneumonia can lower the oxygen in your blood because the air spaces in your lungs fill with fluid. The oxygen you breathe does not get into your bloodstream. It is important that the amount of oxygen in your blood be measured within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital to see if you need oxygen therapy. The assessment may include an ABG (arterial blood gas) or pulse oximetry (electrodes attached to a part of your body like a finger, earlobe, or skin fold).
6	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Pneumococcal Vaccine Administered for Patients 65 years of age or older: The pneumococcal vaccine may help you prevent, or lower the risk of complications of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It may also help you prevent future infections. For most people the vaccine is good for life.
7	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Blood Culture Collected Before First Antibiotic Administered: Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a test that lets the health care provider know which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. It is best to do the blood culture within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital and before antibiotics are started. A blood culture lets your health care provider know how to best treat you and if any precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of your illness .
8	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Smoking Cessation Counseling: Smoking damages your lungs and can make it hard to breath. Smoking increases your chances of getting pneumonia or other chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking is also linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and can cause premature death. It is important for your to get information to help you quit smoking before leave the hospital. Quitting may reduce your chance of getting pneumonia again.
9	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Antibiotic Administered Within 4 Hours of Arrival: Antibiotics are used to treat adults with pneumonia caused by bacteria. Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and reduce the possibility of complications. This information shows the percent of patients who were given their first dose of antibiotics within 4 hours of arrival at the hospital. Patients who get pneumonia during their stay at the hospital are not counted in this measure.
10	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Antibiotic Selected Within National Guidelines: Antibiotics are used to treat adults with pneumonia caused by bacteria. Specific antibiotics have been shown to be more effective in the treatment of pneumonia. It is important you receive the most effective antibiotic to treat your condition.
11	Key Aspects of Community Acquired Pneumonia Care Flu Vaccine Administered During Flu Season (September – March): The flu vaccine may help you prevent, or lower the risk of complications the flu such as pneumonia. The flue vaccine must be administered annually during flu season.
12	HCMH Results with State and National Averages
13	What Would You Like To Do Next? Return to HCMH Quality Measurement Welcome page? Return to HCMHS homepage?