Community-acquired pneumonias in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients admitted at Mater Dei Hospital and their subsequent follow-up

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia refers to an acute infection of the lung parenchyma acquired within the community, and its management depends on the severity of symptoms and method of presentation. The aim of this audit is to evaluate community-acquired pneumonias in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients admitted at Mater Dei Hospital and their subsequent follow-up.

METHODS: In this observational audit, demographic data was collected from 200 patients between June and September 2020. Follow-up of these patients was audited to assess whether local current practice is being adhered to as per British Thoracic Society recommendations.

RESULTS: From our sample of 200 patients, 25.5% who were being treated for community-acquired pneumonia passed away during their admission. The age range of our patients varied from 18 to 99 years with the majority being over the age of 75. 31 out of 149 surviving patients (20.8%) had both imaging and medical outpatient follow-up booked, 18 patients (12.08%) had only a chest x-ray follow-up whilst 19 patients (12.75%) had medical outpatient follow-up only. In total 68 patients (45.63%) had imaging or medical outpatient follow-up, or both.

CONCLUSION: Any patient admitted and treated for a community-acquired pneumonia should receive a follow-up appointment to assess for resolution of symptoms, and/or follow-up imaging to assess for resolution of changes. Non-resolution of these changes may necessitate discussion at a multi-disciplinary level to conclude how to further investigate such a patient.