The graph below shows how well we care for patients with pneumonia from September 2011-August 2012. The graphic shows how many patients received care that follows the 6 criteria listed below.

There are 6 key factors in what's widely considered appropriate care for pneumonia:

1. Pneumonia vaccine
   There is a vaccine to prevent pneumonia. This graphic factors in how many patients 65 years and older were screened and vaccinated to prevent pneumonia.
2. Blood oxygen test
   Pneumonia reduces the amount of oxygen carried in a patient's blood. Therefore it's important to measure the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. This graphic factors in how many patients with pneumonia had their blood/oxygen level measured at Vanderbilt.
3. Blood cultures done within 24 hours
   Before a patient receives any antibiotics for pneumonia, blood samples must be tested for the type of infecton. This graphic factors in how many pneumonia patients admitted through the Emergency Department received this test before antibiotics were given.
4. Quit smoking counseling
   Smoking harms the heart, lungs and blood vessels and makes existing heart disease worse. Heart failure patients should be given advice about stopping smoking while they are in the hospital. This graphic factors in how many adult pneumonia patients were given advice to quit smoking.
5. Antibiotics given within 6 hours
   Antibiotics are generally given as soon as possible to pneumonia patients to speed their recovery. This graphic factors in how long pneumonia patients were in the hospital before they were given antibiotics.
6. Choosing the right antibiotics
   It is important for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to receive the correct antibiotic within 24 hours of hospital arrival. This graphic factors in how often patients with CAP who were not in intensive care units were given the correct antibiotic within 24 hours of hospital arrival.