A three-step critical pathway for community-acquired pneumonia reduces duration of hospital stay and intravenous antibiotic use by 2 days.

ABSTRACT

Implications for practice and research Although early switch therapy and hospital discharge are well-recognised processes, current practices show that these practices are not well established worldwide. Pathways are useful tools to remind treating physicians about criteria for early switch and discharge. A behavioural change may be necessary in order to decrease the gap between national recommendations and current management of hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia.