Guidelines given for the community acquire pneumonia is being followed as far as the drug is concerned but treatment duration & blood culture are not being followed says a study.

Team@CMHF

Use of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) led to increased use of ampicillin, which is appropriate first-line therapy for otherwise healthy children admitted with uncomplicated CAP, The study goal was to assess the effect of implementing a CPG on antibiotic treatment of children hospitalized with CAP. This period began 12 months before and ended 12 months after introduction of the CAP CPG. Of 1033 patients included in the final analysis, 530 (51%) were admitted before CPG implementation, and 503 (49%) were admitted after CPG implementation.
“A CPG and Antibiotic stewardship programme(ASP) led to the increase in use of ampicillin for children hospitalized with CAP,” the study authors write. “In addition, less broad-spectrum discharge antibiotics were used. Patient adverse outcomes were low, indicating that ampicillin is appropriate first-line therapy for otherwise healthy children admitted with uncomplicated CAP.”
“Because CAP is a common pediatric condition, the use of a narrow-spectrum agent is important in preventing the further development of antibiotic resistance,” the study authors conclude. “Second, although providers were willing to follow CPG recommendations for empirical antibiotic choices, other recommendations were not followed, including length of therapy and obtaining blood cultures. Finally, CPGs should be continually monitored and evaluated to ensure successful implementation, utilization, and revisions when required.”

Ref: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758942