Feasibility Study of Contemporary Diagnostics for Patients With Suspected Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

Exclusion Criteria

• •Stage 1:
• •Already received a chest X-ray to confirm suspected HAP diagnosis
• •Diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of ventilator acquired pneumonia
• •Intention to palliate rather than cure
• •Interventions cannot be completed before administration of second antibiotic dose\*
• •Cannot be randomised to low-dose, non-contrast CT scan on clinical grounds e.g. strong suspicion of PE\*\*
• •Pregnancy\*\*\*
• •Previous study participation (patients with second of third episodes of HAP will not be re-recruited)
• •A non-contrast, low-dose thoracic CT scan is an inappropriate test for a PE and if that is high in the differential diagnosis then tick yes here.
• •A urine pregnancy test is required as part of routine care prior to a chest X-ray or CT scan. If the test reveals the patient is pregnant, they will not be eligible for the study as they will be unable to receive a CT scan as part of this study. Pregnancy tests are not required at future time points.
• •Stage 2:
• •\- Following the CXR or CT the clinician decides not to treat with antibiotics for either HAP or a hospital acquired RTI.