[Can one use probabilistic protocols for antibiotic therapy in intensive care units?]

Due to a large spectrum, empiric antibiotics treatments participate to the increase in bacterial resistance. In order to improve its indications, the implementation of therapeutic guidelines in an ICU was studied. Empiric therapy was administered in 30% of the 178 patients receiving antimicrobial agents. Large spectrum drugs were prescribed in 26% of empiric treatments. The mean duration of empiric antibiotics administration was 3.2 days. It was concluded that it was possible to use guidelines of empiric antibiotic in an intensive care unit.