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Use severity of illness scores in combination with clinical judgment to determine if the patient can be safely managed as an outpatient or should be managed as an inpatient; 2019 guidelines recommend Pneumonia Severity Index preferentially over the CURB-65 criteria r3
Consider inpatient admission for patients otherwise meeting criteria for outpatient treatment but who are unable to safely and reliably take medication orally or who have insufficient personal support r12
Determine the optimal care setting using severity of illness scores and clinical judgment r3
Begin empiric therapy based on treatment setting; in patients admitted to the hospital, give first dose before patient leaves emergency department
General considerations
Supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation r30
Respiratory therapy c179
Breathing exercises c182
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis r22c183