Table 1 Showing eligibility criteria for study selection process

a) Studies

Prospective and retrospective trials/studies comparing/evaluating clinical efficacy or clinical outcome of piperacillin/tazobactam administered via CI vs II in critically ill patients. Pilot studies excluded

b) Participants

Critically ill adult participants aged 18 and over suffering from documented bacterial infection and requiring treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam. Non-adult, non-human and non-critically ill patient studies were excluded.

c) Interventions

Studies comparing the beneficial and harmful/limiting effects of CI and II. Infusions of all types (CI, PI and II), dose and regimen are adequate for the review. Pharmacoeconomic studies were also excluded.

d) Outcome measures

All studies were eligible if specifically related to clinical outcome/efficacy of dosing regimens. All outcomes were included to reduce risk of bias as a consequence of selective reporting.