More than 1.2 million Americans—roughly equivalent to the population of Dallas—were hospitalized
for pneumonia in 2006, making this lung infection the most common reason for
admission to the hospital other than for childbirth, according to data from the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Treating pneumonia cost hospitals $10 billion in 2006 (see table below). The
disease, which can be especially deadly among the elderly, occurs when the
lungs fill with fluid from infection or inflammation caused by bacteria or a
virus.
This analysis is based on 2006 data in HCUPnet (http://hcupnet.ahrq.gov), AHRQ's free,
online query system based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization
Project. HCUPnet provides reporters and others fast and easy access to health
statistics on hospital inpatient and emergency department utilization.
2006 estimated hospital admissions and hospitals' costs for common
conditions