Push Dose Intravenous Administration of Antibiotics Should Not Be Routine in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Effective treatment of systemic infections is imperative in the emergency department (ED). There is uncertainty regarding the most effective method of antibiotic administration.1,2 One option is an intravenous push, defined as administration within 5 minutes.1 Alternatively, intravenous piggyback entails administration within 30 minutes in conjunction with other fluid.3 Intravenous piggyback strikes an optimal balance between rapid antibiotic administration and flexibility in attenuating the rate of administration to minimize the risk of provoking higher-severity allergic reactions.