Table 1 National guidelines for empirical antibiotic treatment and therapy duration in suspected CAP and study adherence definitions
CRB-65 Score | Penicillin Allergy | Guideline recommendation for choice of empirical therapy | Definition of adherence for choice of empirical therapy used in this study | Guideline therapy duration | Definition of adherence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
≤ 2 | No | Benzylpenicillin, Ampicillin if COPD exacerbation | Benzylpenicillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, or any combination thereof | 5 days | ≤ 6 days (144 h) |
≤ 2 | Yes | Erythromycin | Any macrolide antibiotic | 5 days | ≤ 6 days (144 h) |
≥ 3 | No | Benzylpenicillin AND Gentamicin. eGFR of < 30: Cefotaxime. ICU patients: Cefotaxime OR Piperacillin/Tazobactam AND Ciprofloxacin | Benzylpenicillin or Ampicillin AND an aminoglycoside (tobramycin or gentamicin). eGFR of < 30: Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone. ICU patients: Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone or Piperacillin/Tazobactam AND a quinolone | 7 days | ≤ 8 days (192 h) |
≥ 3 | Yes | Clindamycin AND Ciprofloksacin | Clindamycin AND a quinolone | 7 days | ≤ 8 days (192 h) |