Predicting Mortality in Nursing Home Residents With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Abstract
Pneumonia and the somewhat broader category of lower respiratory tract infection (LRI), which includes pneumonia, bronchitis, and tracheobronchitis, are the leading causes of mortality and hospitalization among nursing home residents.1-4 In recent outcome studies, 30-day mortality from pneumonia or LRI ranged between 11.4% and 30%.5-9 Clinical findings consistently associated with mortality have included functional dependence (defined by activities of daily living [ADLs]) and elevated respiratory rate.5,7,10,11