Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management

Recommendation ID: CG191/3
Question: What is the clinical effectiveness of continuous positive pressure ventilation compared with usual care in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and type I respiratory failure without a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Type I respiratory failure is a common feature of pneumonia. Mild type I respiratory failure is easily corrected with low levels of supplemental oxygen, whereas severe life-threatening hypoxemia needs immediate intubation and invasive ventilation. Research into whether continuous positive pressure ventilation improves gas exchange and subsequent outcomes, such as mortality, could help improve care for patients with respiratory failure between these extremes.

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Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	06/01/2015