Tag: Procalcitonin

(Dis)Utility of Procalcitonin in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (ProACT Trial)

by Anand Swaminathan posted September 17, 2018 No Comments

Background: The mis- and overuse of antibiotics continues to be a growing problem in medicine; the results of which are increased health-care costs, increased antibiotic resistance and, ultimately, patient harm. Unnecessary antibiotics are particularly prevalent in the treatment of lower …

Infectious Disease

Procalcitonin: Useful Test or Useless Pest to Improve Antibiotic Stewardship with Acute Respiratory Infections in the ED?

by Anand Swaminathan posted July 27, 2018 No Comments

Background: In patients with an acute respiratory illness (ARI), it is often difficult to determine whether a bacterial infection is the underlying etiology and whether antibiotics are warranted. Excess antibiotic use carries risk of bacterial resistance, medical costs, and adverse drug …

Infectious Disease