ACEP Clinical Policy — Community-Acquired Pneumonia Management in the ED (2020)

The ACEP 2020 Clinical Policy on evaluation and management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adult emergency department patients provides evidence-based guidance on: radiographic diagnostic strategy, risk stratification for safe discharge vs. admission (PSI/PORT score, CURB-65), antibiotic selection based on severity and resistance risk, and post-discharge follow-up. CAP is the most common infectious cause of death in the US and the leading cause of sepsis in the ED, with significant variability in practice regarding antibiotic selection, route, and admission decisions.