Initial Antibiotics

The Reading Hospital percentages displayed in this graph reflect discharges during second quarter 2011. State and national rates from the US Department of Health & Human Services are for discharges between October 2009 and September 2010.

Why is this important?

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.

Our approach to improving performance:

We provide ongoing staff education to assure that all pneumonia patients are diagnosed by a chest x-ray in the Emergency Department to expedite treatment. Radiological diagnosis of pneumonia is now considered a "critical value," which means that the results require immediate attention. Our Radiology Department must verbally report the results to the doctor within one hour so treatment can begin as soon as possible.