Empirical hospital treatment regimes for skin and soft tissue infections. Clinical guidelines and real empirical practice
- Pérez Rodríguez, María Teresa
- Argibay Filgueira, Ana Belén
- Nodar Germiñas, Andrés
- Martínez Vidal, Ana Isabel
- Rodríguez Gómez, A
- Sousa, A
- Lorenzo, R
- Rivera Gallego, Alberto
ISSN: 0304-4866, 1989-3922
Year of publication: 2014
Volume: 75
Issue: 4
Pages: 167-170
Type: Article
More publications in: Galicia Clínica
Abstract
Objetives: There are several clinical guidelines for the management of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI); however, the empirical treatment of patients with this common cause of hospital admission is highly variable. The aims of this study were to determine the empirical antibiotic treatment regimes and the duration of antibiotic treatment of SSTI requiring hospitalization. Patients and methods: Cases admitted for SSTI were reviewed. We evaluated antibiotic therapy before, during and after hospitalization, as well as duration of treatment. Results: From the 131 patients, 41 different antibiotic regimes were identified. Antibiotic combinations were used in 61 patients (47%) and broadspectrum antibiotics were used in 21 patients (16%). Modification of the antibiotic regimen was required in 25 patients (19%) due to poor clinical response, and 16 different regimes were prescribed. For patients with treatment failure, neither duration of hospitalization (12 ± 9.0 days vs. 14 ± 8.7 days, p = 0.31) nor duration of antibiotic treatment (12 ± 8.2 days vs. 14 ± 6.8 days, p = 0.33) were greater than for those who responded to the initial empirical treatment. On discharge, antibiotic treatment was prescribed for 95 patients (73%), with 25 different regimes, including a combination of drugs in 22 patients (23%) and broad-spectrum antibiotics in 10. Conclusions: SSTI is an increasing cause of hospitalization and, despite recent relevant formal guidelines, management is greatly variable.