| Quality Report Card |
Pneumonia
This data represents what percentage of the time MultiCare follows these actions in relation to the statewide average for Washington hospitals.- Blood cultures performed
- Appropriate antibiotic choice
- Timely administration of medication (within 6 hours of arrival)
- Pneumococcal vaccination rates
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Quarterly Data for Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals
- Quarterly Data for Good Samaritan Hospital
(TG/AH = Tacoma General/ Allenmore Hospital; GSH = Good Samaritan Hospital)
Blood cultures performed
Blood tests may help determine whether antibodies to a specific organism that can cause pneumonia are present, or whether specific viruses, such as influenza (flu) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are present. Doctors can also use blood cultures to test for bacteria in your bloodstream.
Appropriate antibiotic choice
Many classes of antibiotics can treat pneumonia. Which antibiotic your doctor chooses generally will be based on your age, your symptoms, how severe your pneumonia is, other medical problems you may have, what type of bacteria may be causing your pneumonia, whether you have a type of bacteria that some medications can no longer kill, and whether you are allergic to any antibiotics.
Timely administration of medication
(within 6 hours of arrival)
Doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria, the most common cause of the condition. You usually will continue to take antibiotics for 5 to 14 days, although you may take them longer if you have an impaired immune system. 
Pneumococcal vaccination rates
Pneumococcus is a type of bacteria that can cause several severe infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections (sepsis). These infections can be serious and even life-threatening, especially in people with impaired immune systems, older adults, and children younger than 2 years of age. Doctors use two types of pneumococcal vaccines for routine immunization depending on a person's age.
Smoking cessation counseling
More than 430,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco use, especially smoking, is the number-one preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Smoking cessation counseling can help you increase your chances of success when you decide to quit.