Health Condition: Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as cough, fever, and trouble breathing. Although there are many causes of pneumonia, when it is caused by bacteria, it is called "Bacterial Pneumonia."

"Community acquired pneumonia" is used to designate pneumonias that people get when they live in the community during normal daily life, which means they are not hospitalized or in a nursing home. It is usually caused by one of a handful of common organisms. Pneumonias that begin while living in a hospital or clinical setting are not considered community acquired.

Both influenza and pneumonia are a special problem for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Between 2002-2004, the rate of death from influenza and pneumonia in the AI/AN population was 1-1/2 times the rate in all other races.

It is important for patients with pneumonia to measure the level of oxygen in their blood, as described below.

What is a pulse oximetry test?
When patients with pneumonia arrive at their health care facility, it is important to measure how well their lungs are working. This is done by measuring the level of oxygen in their blood. This test is called pulse oximetry and lets your health care team know if you are getting the oxygen you need. If the test shows your level of oxygen is low, your health care team will take steps to increase your oxygen level.

Who should get this test?
All patients who have been diagnosed with pneumonia should get this test, whether they are diagnosed at their clinic or they have been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Why are oxygen levels important?
A low oxygen saturation can mean that important organs, especially the brain and the heart, are not getting the oxygen they need to function normally. The information helps health care workers decide whether the patient should receive additional oxygen or other treatments in order to improve the oxygen levels.

What is a good oxygen level?
People in good health will have an oxygen saturation of 93 percent or greater, while a result below 90 percent is often a cause for concern. A number of things affect the oxygen saturation that is measured, so pulse oximetry is just one of many factors that are considered in evaluating how a person with pneumonia is doing.

What is the Transparency Performance Measure?
The Transparency performance measure is the percentage of IHS AI/AN patients ages 18 and older diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia whose oxygen level was measured during the year.

How is IHS doing?
To see how IHS is performing on this measure, click here.