Modified from "Short-course Empiric Antibiotic Therapy for Patients with Pulmonary Infiltrates in the Intensive Care Unit" Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 162. pp 505–511, 2000.
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A score > 6 at baseline or at 72 h is considered suggestive of pneumonia. If <= 6 at 72 hours patient probably doesn't have pneumonia and antibiotics probably can be stopped.
Temperature (C)
>= to 36.5 and, or equal to 38.4 ................ 0 point
>= to 38.5 and, or equal to 38.9................. 1 point
>= to 39 and, or equal to 36...................... 2 points
Blood leukocytes, mm3
>= 4,000 and, <= to 11,000...................... 0 point
<4,000 or > 11,000.................................. 1 point
and if band forms >= to 50%.................... 1 point
Tracheal secretions
Absence of tracheal secretions...................... 0 point
Presence of nonpurulent tracheal secretions ... 1 point
Presence of purulent tracheal secretions......... 2 points
Oxygenation
PaO2/FIO2, mm Hg >240 or ARDS (ARDS defined as PaO2/FIO2 <= equal to 200, pulmonary artery wedge pressure <= to 18 mm Hg and acute bilateral infiltrates).................................................... 0 point
<= equal to 240 and no ARDS....................... 2 points
Pulmonary radiography
No infiltrate................................................ 0 point
Diffuse (or patchy) infiltrate.......................... 1 point
Localized infiltrate........................................ 2 points
Progression of pulmonary infiltrates
No radiographic progression ........................ 0 point
Radiographic progression (no CHF or ARDS).. 2 points
Culture of tracheal aspirate
Pathogenic bacteria cultured in rare or light quantity or no growth.. 0 points
Pathogenic bacteria cultured in moderate or heavy quantity............ 1 point
Same pathogenic bacteria seen on Gram stain, add 1 point............. 1 point
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Notes: CPIS at baseline is assessed on the basis of the first five variables, i.e., temperature, blood leukocyte count, tracheal secretions, oxygenation, and character of pulmonary infiltrate. CPIS at 72 h is calculated based on all seven variables and took into consideration the progression of the infiltrate and culture results of the tracheal aspirate. A score > 6 at baseline or at 72 h is considered suggestive of pneumonia.