Evaluation of procalcitonin as a contribution to antimicrobial stewardship in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study
- Williams, E.J.
- Mair, L.
- de Silva, T.I.
- Green, D.J.
- House, P.
- Cawthron, K.
- Gillies, C.
- Wigfull, J.
- Parsons, H.
- Partridge, D.G.
DOIAbstract
It can be a diagnostic challenge to identify COVID-19 patients in whom antibiotics can be safely withheld. We evaluate the effectiveness of a guideline implemented at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that recommends withholding antibiotics in patients with a low serum procalcitonin (PCT), defined as ≤0.25ng/ml. Results showed reduced antibiotic consumption in this patient group, without increase in mortality, alongside a reduction in subsequent carbapenem prescriptions during admission for those with a negative PCT. Our results suggest effectiveness of this guideline, and further research is recommended to identify the optimal cut-off value for procalcitonin in this setting
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