Factors associated with early onset pneumonia in the severely brain-injured patient
Woratyla, S.P.; Morgan, A.S.; Mackay, L.; Bernstein, B.; Barba, C.
Connecticut Medicine 59(11): 643-647
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-6178 PMID: 8565507 Document Number: 444319
An analysis of 125 patients with closed head injury was completed in order to identify the risk factors involved in the development of early pneumonia. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 60% of the patients. Early pneumonia developed in 47.8% of the patients. Brain-injured patients who developed early pneumonia were found to have a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Early pneumonia was found more often in patients with swallowing disorders and evidence of aspiration. Patients who had been intubated in the field were found to be at greater risk for the development of early pneumonia than those intubated in the hospital. Patients with early pneumonia had prolonged intubation times, intensive care unit stays, and hospital stays. This study suggests that a GCS score less than 5, evidence for swallowing disorders and aspiration, and field intubation are risk factors for early pneumonia in the brain-injured patient.