Table 1 Modifications of antibiotic regimens
Process measures | Definition |
|---|---|
Modification of therapy | |
Escalation | Change from oral to intravenous (i.v.) antibiotic treatment within the same antibacterial spectrum, change to more broad-spectrum treatment, adding an antibiotic to a combination. |
De-escalation | Change from i.v. to oral antibiotic treatment within the same antibacterial spectrum or change to more narrow-spectrum treatment. |
Change same level | Change to a regimen within the same antibacterial spectrum and form of administration (i.v./oral). |
Unchanged | Regimens where first change of therapy was discontinuation of antibiotics, either during admission or after discharge. |
Time to first modification of AB regimen | Time to first escalation/de-escalation/change within same antibacterial spectrum and dosage form (change of active substance(s), i.v. to oral switch, stopping or adding an antibiotic). |
Number of treatment regimens | The number of treatment regimens from initiation of treatment until antibiotics prescribed at discharge |
Day of oral antibiotics | The first day that one or more oral antibiotics were given. |