Type of publication:
Conference abstract
Author(s):
*Zeb M.S.; *Hamze H.; *Ali A.; *Annabel M.; *Ahmad N.; *Moudgil H.; *Ibrahim J.; *Srinivasan K.S.; *Crawford E.
Citation:
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine; May 2019; vol. 199 (no. 9)
Abstract:
Introduction and objectives CAP accounts for 29,000 deaths per annum in the UK with In-patient mortality of 17.7% [1]. In older population (>65years) associated malignancy is 9.1%. Current guidelines [2] recommend chest radiograph (CXR) follow up 6 weeks after CAP in high risk patients. We aimed to audit our follow up practice with a view to service improvement for early detection of malignancy and complications from CAP. Methods Patients were identified via retrospective review of local database of patients recorded as "CAP" on discharge from 02/01/2017 to 01/31/2018. CXR reports were reviewed using patient archives communication system for radiology and clinical portal. Results 97 patients were identified with discharge diagnoses recorded as "CAP". We excluded patients below 50 years of age (n=7), those without radiographic pneumonia (n= 26), CXR not reported (as patient deceased) (n=2) and patients with CAP who died within 6 weeks of presentation (n=25, mean age 83 years; this included inpatients as well as those died post discharge from hospital). Patients included (n=37). Mean age 74 years. Female patients (n=19, 50.1%). 14 (37.8%) patients had follow up CXR. One of these showed incomplete resolution with no further follow up or investigation arranged. Three patients were considered not suitable for follow up in view of their co-morbidities. 20/37 (58%) patients didn't have appropriate follow up arranged. Conclusion(s): Our results underestimated CAP incidence at secondary level based on the discharge diagnosis of CAP. Mortality in this cohort was high signifying the severity of pneumonia, particularly with increasing age. There was one unresolved consolidation with no lung cancers diagnosed implying small sample size as a limitation in our study. Nevertheless 26 (27%) of patients had clinical diagnosis of CAP with no radiographic evidence. There was heterogeneity in the follow up CXR arrangements with patients shared between hospital specialists and primary care. For improvement we need to ensure appropriate follow up CXR (streamlined by staff education), radiology reports (highlighting the need for repeat CXR) and virtual clinics are arranged.
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