Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) or nosocomial pneumonia refers to any pneumonia contracted by a patient in a hospital at least 48–72 hours after being admitted. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection, rather than a virus.
HAP is the second most common nosocomial infection (urinary tract infection is the most common) and accounts for 15–20% of the total. It is the most common cause of death among nosocomial infections and is the primary cause of death in intensive care units.
HAP typically lengthens a hospital stay by 1–2 weeks.
Read more about Hospital-acquired Pneumonia: Signs and Symptoms, Types, Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment
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—Janet Wood Reno (b. 1913)