Empiric, Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Therapy with an Aggressive De-Escalation Strategy Does Not Induce Gram-Negative Pathogen Resistance in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Abstract

In our SICU, early, empiric broad-spectrum VAP therapy followed by de-escalation to pathogen-specific agents did not alter antimicrobial resistance and is a valid practice. Further, our compliance with de-escalation practices was higher than published rates.