If you are diagnosed with pneumonia while in the hospital at what point is it classified as hospital acquired?

Question

When pnemonia is diagnosed while in the hospital at what point is it considered hospital acquired pneumonia? I am thinking within 48 hours after admission it is still classified as community acquired pneumonia. Does anyone know if this is correct?

Answer 1

It really depends on the organism that is causing the pneumonia, as the incubation period for some type of organisms can be rather prolonged. For example, you can develop pneumonia from Legionnaire's disease in the hospital, even though you were exposed outside the hospital a week prior to admission. For most things, 48 hours is a good cutoff. I have also seen case definitions that use 72 as a cutoff.

Answer 2

good luck with this one as the hospital admin and legal will deny everything in just about every way.