Characteristics of nosocomial pneumonia

284 patients with pneumonia treated in non-invasive chest wards were analysed in a prospective study. Out of 284 cases 26 proved to be nosocomial pneumonias. Older age, chronic non specific lung diseases, malignancies, peptic ulcus, chronic alcoholism as risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia should be taken into consideration. The pathogen agent was clearly identified in four cases, meanwhile the pathogenity of the agents was suspected at seven patients. By distribution of all pathogens the widely known bacteria are responsible for nosocomial pneumonia were less than one third of cases (in three cases Staphylococcus aureus, in one-one case E. coli and Enterobacter). The possible causes of their observation were analysed. Out of the 15 pathogens Gram-negative bacilli were found in six cases only. Authors suggest to use this observation at the rational choice of empiric treatment.