1. Using Procalcitonin in Septic Shock to Guide Antibacterial Therapy.
- Author
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Sullivan, Shannon M. and Von Rueden, Kathryn T.
- Subjects
- *
CALCITONIN , *ANTIBIOTICS , *C-reactive protein , *COST control , *DRUG resistance in microorganisms , *INFLAMMATION , *DECISION making in clinical medicine , *SEPTIC shock , *LITERATURE reviews , *DIAGNOSIS , *THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Over the last decade, the biomarkers procalcitonin and C-reactive protein have gained interest in sepsis research. Procalcitonin is a unique biomarker that is specific to bacterial infection and has demonstrated utility in the risk stratification of patients with potential life-threatening bacterial infections. In addition, procalcitonin has been documented as having a role in reducing the rate of unnecessary antibiotics while positively impacting antibiotic resistance rates and cost savings. The purposes of this review article are to discuss the clinical relevance of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin as diagnostic and prognostic markers for sepsis with a focus on the use of serial procalcitonin levels as a component of antibiotic stewardship programs. The federal government has recently become invested in combating the progression of antibiotic resistance; a 5-year national plan has been developed to address these concerns. Establishing a reliable antibiotic stewardship program is one of the goals of this national plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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