Inadequate antimicrobial treatment: an important determinant of outcome for hospitalized patients.
Clin Infect Dis
; 31 Suppl 4: S131-8, 2000 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11017862
ABSTRACT
Inadequate antimicrobial treatment, generally defined as microbiological documentation of an infection that is not being effectively treated, is an important factor in the emergence of infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Factors that contribute to inadequate antimicrobial treatment of hospitalized patients include prior antibiotic exposure, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, prolonged length of stay, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and presence of invasive devices. Strategies to minimize inadequate treatment include consulting an infectious disease specialist, using antibiotic practice guidelines, and identifying quicker methods of microbiological identification. In addition, clinicians should determine the prevailing pathogens that account for the community-acquired and nosocomial infections identified in their hospitals. Clinicians can improve antimicrobial treatment by using empirical combination antibiotic therapy based on individual patient characteristics and the predominant bacterial flora and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. This broad-spectrum therapy can then be narrowed when initial culture results are received. Further study evaluating the use of antibiotic practice guidelines and strategies to reduce inadequate treatment is necessary to determine their impact on patient outcomes.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infección Hospitalaria
/
Antibacterianos
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2000
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos