A consensus statement on empiric therapy for suspected gram-positive infections in surgical patients.

Background: Multidrug resistance among gram-positive pathogens in tertiary and other care centers is common. A systematic decision pathway to help select empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected gram-positive postsurgical infections is presented.

Data Sources: A Medline search with regard to empiric antibiotic therapy was performed and assessed by the 15-member expert panel.

Results of a randomized trial comparing sequential intravenous/oral treatment with ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole to imipenem/cilastatin for intra-abdominal infections. The Intra-Abdominal Infection Study Group.

Objective: In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, ciprofloxacin/metronidazole was compared with imipenem/cilastatin for treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. A secondary objective was to demonstrate the ability to switch responding patients from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) therapy.

Summary Background Data: Intra-abdominal infections result in substantial morbidity, mortality, and cost.

Pharmacokinetics of once-daily dosing of gentamicin in surgical intensive care unit patients with open fractures.

Objective: To compare the first-dose pharmacokinetic parameters of gentamicin 6 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg in stable, nonobese surgical intensive care unit patients with open extremity fractures receiving gentamicin prophylactically.

Methods: Serial blood samples were obtained over 8 or 24 hours following the first dose of gentamicin. Serum concentrations of gentamicin were measured using fluorescence polarization immunoassay and analyzed by noncompartmental means.