^a Recommended hospital care for pneumonia includes having blood cultures collected before the administration of the first antibiotics dose, receiving the first dose of antibiotic within 4 hours of arrival at the hospital, receiving the recommended empirical antibiotic regimen that is consistent with current guidelines (excluding health care associated patients), screening for influenza vaccine statuses and vaccinating prior to discharge for patients age 50 and over discharged during the winter, and screening for pneumococcal vaccine statuses and vaccinating prior to discharge for patients age 65 and over.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Quality Improvement Organization Program.