[A study of the effectiveness and cost of de-escalation therapy for severe lower airway infection in a respiratory intensive care unit].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of de-escalation therapy (DET) in patients with severe lower airway infection in the respiratory care unit.

Methods: Sixty-seven cases of severe lower airway infection (SLAI) were divided into two groups: a DET group (n = 29), and a non-DET group (NDET, n = 38). Samples of lower airway secretions were collected by blinded protected specimen brush for culture and Gram stain.