Inflammatory biomarkers and prediction for intensive care unit admission in severe community-acquired pneumonia*

Inflammatory biomarkers identified patients needing intensive care unit admission, including those with delayed intensive care unit admission. Patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia by minor criteria and low levels of procalcitonin may be safely admitted to wards. Correctly applying the Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society guidelines would reduce substantially delayed intensive care unit admission.