Multiplex PCR point of care testing versus routine, laboratory-based testing in the treatment of adults with respiratory tract infections: a quasi-randomised study assessing impact on length of stay and antimicrobial use

Table 5 Effect of RP Result on Antibiotic Prescribing

Antibiotic Prescribing Decision Category	Control		Intervention		Total
Antibiotic Prescribing Decision Category	number	percent of control arm	number	percent intervention arm	Total
Continue	128	60.7	165	49.4	293
De-escalate	5	2.4	6	1.8	11
Escalate	4	1.9	26	7.8	30
Start	1	0.5	17	5.1	18
Stop	7	3.3	15	4.5	22
Remain off antibiotics	51	24.1	95	28.4	146
Missing data about decision	15	7.1	10	3.0	25
Total	211		334		545

Control arm de-escalate: 2 stop ≥1 antimicrobial, 3 substitution of Beta-lactam with narrower spectrum Beta-lactam. Intervention arm de-escalate: 2 stop ≥1 antimicrobial, 2 substitution of Beta-lactam with narrower spectrum Beta-lactam, 2 substitution of Beta-lactam with narrower spectrum Beta-lactam and atypical agent was stopped. Control arm escalate: 4 add antibiotic to existing antibiotics (all agents against atypical pneumonia). Intervention arm escalate: 19 add antibiotics to existing antibiotics (14 agents against atypical pneumonia, 5 addition of agents against ‘typical pneumonia’ to atypical agent e.g. Beta-lactam or teicoplanin with ciprofloxacin if penicillin allergic), 7 substitution of Beta-lactam with broader spectrum Beta-lactam

ISSN: 1471-2334