American Thoracic Society
Diagnosis and Management of Community-acquired Pneumonia: An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline
Abstract
Understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has evolved thanks to new evidence, experience, and emerging technologies. This document updates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on four key questions for the diagnosis and management of adult patients with CAP.
A multidisciplinary panel integrated systematic reviews of comparative evidence with other relevant research and clinical experience, then applied Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology to produce recommendations using the Evidence to Decision Framework.
The panel formulated clinical recommendations that address questions related to CAP, including lung ultrasound for diagnosis, empiric antibacterial therapy if a test result for a respiratory virus is positive, antibiotic duration, and the use of systemic corticosteroids.
The panel formulated and provided the rationale for recommendations on selected diagnostic and treatment strategies for adult patients with CAP.
Source and rights
Published by American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 2026. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.
Prognia summarises this guideline for reference and education. It is not medical advice. Always check the official guideline and current local protocols before acting on it.
At a glance
- Organisation
- American Thoracic Society
- Published
- 2026
- Applies to
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Scope
- National
