Empiric Step-Down Therapy

Broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic therapy must be accompanied by a commitment to choose pathogen-specific therapy once the culture and susceptibility results are known, which is usually within 48-72 hours.

Clinical improvement generally becomes apparent after the first 48-72 hours of therapy, and therefore, the selected antimicrobial regimen should not be escalated during this time unless progressive deterioration is noted or initial microbiologic studies so dictate.