Adult

Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) including aspiration pneumonia

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: non severe (including aspiration pneumonia)

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: non severe (including aspiration pneumonia)

For frail patients: Refer to LRTI + functional decline

  • Healthcare: Hospital, community hospital, nursing home.
  • Aspiration pneumonia does NOT require antimicrobial treatment unless there is clear evidence of secondary bacterial infection.
  • Patients who have tracheostomy or are intubated can have respiratory sampling performed.
  • Legionella antigen testing on urine can be considered.
  • SARSCoV2 Resp PCR indicated
  • When community respiratory viruses are common RSV and/or influenza testing is indicated
  • Modify treatment according to sensitivity test results.
  • See also NICE NG139 (revised 2019)

Treat for 3-5 days 

Review empirical treatment within 48 hours

Preferred:

Alternative:

For penicillin allergy, mild or severe

Consider penicillin allergy assessment and delabelling

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: severe (including aspiration pneumonia)

  • Healthcare: Hospital, community hospital, nursing home.
  • For more complex cases where escalation of treatment is considered, please discuss with Micro ID.
  • Patients who have tracheostomy or are intubated can have respiratory sampling performed.
  • Legionella antigen testing on urine can be considered.
  • Modify treatment according to sensitivity test results.

Treat for 3-5 days (review iv daily)

Preferred:
Alternative:

Penicillin allergy (non-severe and severe) or MRSA positive patients:

Consider Delabelling of spurious penicillin allergy in patients who are low risk and are clinically stable.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31 Jan 2025