Bacteremia Duration of Therapy

Minimum duration studied without evidence of reduced efficacy

5 days

Timeline for possible transition to PO therapy must be dictated by the source of infection and associated syndrome

PO therapy may be considered if patient is improving clinically, can absorb oral intake, and there is an appropriate oral drug for identified organism(s) and syndrome

Assumes source controlled and not associated with clinical syndrome requiring longer Rx.

• Cause of bacteremia determines the duration of therapy in most syndromes

• Specific organisms require longer duration (e.g. S. aureus)

• For bacteremias without syndrome duration or organism duration recommendations, it is reasonable to use 7 days of therapy, unless there are clinical reasons to extend (e.g. failure to improve)

• This recommendation is based on observational trials and meta-analysis

• Adapted from AMMI Canada Position Statement on the Appropriate Duration of Antimicrobial Therapy (2018