Table 5.

Selected CAP processes of care-outcome link

Process of care	Process-outcome link
Hospital admission decision47, 48, 49, 50, 132	Admission of low-risk patients associated with unnecessary cost and diminished patient satisfaction
Timing of initial antibiotics64, 128	Earlier administration associated with improved survival
Choice of antibiotic therapy132, 133, 134, 135	If according to guidelines, associated with better outcome
Switch to oral therapy124, 125, 132	Associated with decrease length of time in hospital and cost. Appropriate even for Strep pneumoniae bacteraemia
Discharge criteria127, 131, 132	Associated with decrease cost and readmission rates
Use of critical pathway130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 136	Decrease number of patients admitted to hospital, duration of admission, and mortality

Modified from Metersky.¹²²