The clinical impact of obtaining respiratory cultures in critically ill patients diagnosed with pneumonia Meshell Maxam, Karl Thomas, Michael Kenes Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center - PGY1 - Winston-Salem, NC
Background/Purpose: Pneumonia remains a leading cause of death and when diagnosed and treated appropriately, can reduce the risk of mortality and infection-related deaths. Current guidelines suggest obtaining respiratory cultures to help guide antibiotic therapy. Our study aims to characterize clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with proven or suspected pneumonia based on the obtainment, or lack thereof, of respiratory cultures.
Methodology: This prospective, observational study was conducted from November 2017 through January 2018, and quantified the defined daily dose (DDD) and total duration of antibiotics based upon the obtainment of respiratory cultures. Secondary endpoints include ventilator free days, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, characterization of isolates, appropriateness of antibiotic utilization, 30-day readmission, hospital mortality and 28-day mortality. The diagnosis of pneumonia (community-acquired, ventilator-associated, hospital-acquired) and the decision to obtain and culture respiratory samples were made by the ICU treating team, independent of the research team._x000D_ Patients were included if they were 18 years or older, admitted to the medical ICU with a diagnosis of proven or suspected pneumonia within the first 5 days of admission, and received empiric or directed treatment for 5 or more days. _x000D_
Presentation Objective: Evaluate the clinical utility of obtaining respiratory cultures to determine duration of antibiotic therapy.
Self-Assessment: What is the theoretical benefit of obtaining respiratory cultures in a critically ill patient with documented or suspected pneumonia?
