Community-acquired pneumonia assessment (adult UK pathway)
A source-linked educational visual of adult community-acquired pneumonia assessment, severity scoring and escalation based on NICE NG250.
Important safety note
This visual algorithm is an educational representation of published UK clinical guidance and is not a substitute for clinical judgement, local protocols, senior/specialist advice, or the original guideline. Verify current guidance before clinical use.
Scope and source
- Scope
- Adults with suspected community-acquired pneumonia presenting to UK emergency or acute-care services.
- Jurisdiction
- UK
- Primary guidance
- NICE NG250: Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management
- Guidance last updated
- 2025-09-02
- Clinical reference reviewed
- 2026-09-08
- Review due
- 2027-03-08
Interactive clinical algorithm
This source-backed visual algorithm is available in the interactive page experience. Open the original guidance and the node notes before clinical use.
How to read this visual
- Read across the columns for the phases of the pathway; the swimlanes are who acts — Emergency team, Senior and critical care, Investigations and scoring.
- Bold marks the dose, threshold or time limit that decides the next step; the rest of a label is context.
- Follow the pathway from left to right and open node notes for the cited qualification.
- Use the score as one input to assessment, not as a substitute for clinical judgement or local escalation policy.
Clinical notes
- Use current local antimicrobial guidance for drug choice, dose and duration.
- Assess sepsis, hypoxia and alternative diagnoses in parallel; this pathway does not replace those emergency pathways.
Sources
- NICE NG250: Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management (NICE; 2025-09-02)
Open an editable reference copy
Create a personal educational copy. Verify the original guidance before clinical use.