Antibiotics in the Intensive Care Unit

Antimicrobial therapy is a critical component in the management of many infections. Antimicrobial therapy should not be initiated before infection with a susceptible pathogen is suspected or confirmed or before appropriate diagnostic specimens, including those for cultures, are collected. Recognizing indications for antibiotic administration and appropriately selecting antimicrobial agents based on clinical and microbiologic findings are required. Distinguishing between empiric prescribing, when infection syndromes and pathogens are suspected, and therapeutic prescribing, when infection syndromes are confirmed and pathogens identified, is critically important.