Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Recent Insights Into An Old Disease

Rapid diagnostic tests, analysis of outcomes in large databases, and application of technology to assist clinicians in decision making have all helped improve the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia. Managed care has provided pressure to consider cost-effectiveness of therapy. Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy is an increasingly available and routine option. Practice guidelines have been published but often are not followed; they are most useful in settings in which pneumonia is a frequent event, such as emergency departments.