Pneumonia Quality Measures
Strong preventive efforts are essential for reducing pneumonia-related
death and disability among high-risk groups such as those who are elderly,
diabetic, or those with weakened immune systems. Others with chronic conditions
such as heart, liver, or kidney disease, or cancer should also be considered
for pneumococcal vaccination according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), in conjunction
with the Hospitals Quality Alliance (HQA) and the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recommends pneumococcal vaccination
for persons at high risk for developing pneumonia.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends
pneumococcal vaccination for persons with chronic conditions such as heart failure,
diabetes, emphysema (chronic lung disease), cirrhosis (liver disease) and alcoholism.
Persons greater than 65 years of age who are in good health are also encouraged
to receive the pneumococcal vaccine. Re-vaccination is generally not required
for persons who receive the initial vaccination at age 65 or older. Persons
who are vaccinated before the age of 65 should be re-vaccinated every five years
according to the CDC's
recommended adult immunization schedule. Your physician may recommend a different
vaccination schedule to meet your individual needs.
In
2006,
77 percent of eligible patients at
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center received pneumococcal vaccination unless otherwise contraindicated.
Pneumonia patients who have an up-to-date vaccination status are not eligible
for re-vaccination, therefore, this number is not expected to be 100 percent.