Updated concepts in the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia accounts for about 1 million hospitalizations each year in the United States. It is the number one cause of death from infectious disease and eighth leading cause of death in the United States. This article reviews recent updates in best practices for diagnosing and managing pneumonia in the ED or primary care practice. Despite developments in the diagnosis of pneumonia, vital signs and chest examination findings can and should guide clinical management. Chest radiography is routinely used to diagnose pneumonia. However, a negative chest radiograph should not replace clinical impression. In immunocompetent patients with community-acquired pneumonia, the CURB-65 decision rule has a role in identifying high-risk patients, including those who will require ICU admission and a critical care intervention.