Abstract
BackgroundProcalcitonin (PCT) is a promising and well-studied marker in differentiating viral from bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Antibiotics are not recommended when PCT is normal (< 0.25 μg/L). Despite this, it has not been the standard of care due to safety concerns of relying on PCT to withhold antibiotics.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all non-critical LRTI patients with normal PCT admitted in our institution from October 2018 to March 2019. They were divided into adherent group in whom antibiotics were discontinued within 24 hours and non-adherent group in whom antibiotics were continued. Cases of Legionella, Mycoplasma, and other infectious syndromes necessitating antibiotics were excluded. Complexity of cases was measured based on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) case-mix index (CMI). Outcomes compared were the length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, and 30-day all-cause readmissions.ResultsA total of 78 patients were included in the analysis, 52% (n = 41) were in adherent group and 48% (n = 37) in the non-adherent group. The mean age was 74, and majority were females (59%, n = 46). The were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, CMI, underlying COPD/asthma, CHF (see Table 1). The adherent group had statistically shorter LOS compared with the non-adherent group after adjusting for CMI. There was no significant difference in In-hospital mortality and readmissions (see Table 2). Furthermore, the adherent group’s LOS was statistically similar to CMS average LOS (5.08 vs. 3.8, P = 0.08); compared with the non-adherent group which had statistically longer LOS compared with CMS average LOS (8.3 vs. 4.6, pConclusionPCT is a safe tool in deciding when to withhold antibiotics on LRTI patients. It shortens LOS with no difference in mortality or readmission. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
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