|
pneumonia patients given oxygen assessment |
| RMC Current |
|
|
| RMC Last Reported |
|
|
| Kentucky |
|
|
| National |
|
|
| Top Scores* |
|
|
| |
0 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
80 |
100 |
*Represents the top 10% of scores for this indicator nationally.
RMC Current data during: Apr 2007 - Mar 2008
RMC Last Reported data during: April 2005 - March 2006
Kentucky, National and Top Hospital data during: April 2005 - March 2006
Why is this important?
Pneumonia can lower the oxygen in your blood because the air spaces in your lungs fill with fluid. The oxygen you breathe does not get into your bloodstream. It is important that the amount of oxygen in your blood be measured within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital to see if you need oxygen therapy. The assessment may include an ABG (arterial blood gas) or pulse oximetry (electrodes attached to a part of your body like a finger, earlobe, or skin fold).
Higher percentages are better.
Information about Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. As the lungs fill with fluid, oxygen has more and more trouble reaching your blood and a whole series of events may occur that can eventually kill.
Pneumonia is caused by a viral or bacterial infection that fills your lungs with mucus. This lowers the oxygen level in your blood. Symptoms of pneumonia can include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- "Wet" cough. Your mucus may look green or bloody.
- Chest pain
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
This information comes from the quality data submitted by hospitals to Medicare’s Clinical Data Warehouse for inpatient discharges during the time period April 2005 - March 2006. Regional Medical Center Current Data represents data from April 2007 - May 2007.
