The Anticipation and Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Complications After Operation and During Prolonged Illness

Abstract

Although antibiotic therapy has sharply reduced the mortality from pulmonary infection, only more extensive use of prophylactic measures will reduce the morbidity. The author states that evaluating the risk of the development of pulmonary complications depends on information gained from the history and from physical and roentgenographic examination and, in part, on the nature of the illness requiring hospitalization. Prevention of complications is more successful and less hazardous to the patient than treatment of infection.