Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Respiratory-tract Infections

The objective of the study is to determine whether rapid multiplex PCR testing of respiratory samples can reduce exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics in intensive care unit patients with suspected or confirmed ventilator-associated pneumonia, compared to standard diagnostic methods. As secondary objectives, the investigators will study antibiotic management and overall antibiotic consumption, as well as escalation or de-escalation events. The investigators will study the potential clinical impact of using multiplex PCR to see if the length of stay in the intensive care unit is reduced, as well as the duration of mechanical ventilation.

The study was a practical, cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of CRP and SAA point-of-care testing (CRP\&SAA POCT) on antibiotic prescribing in patients with acute respiratory-tract infections (ARI) at primary care facilities in rural China.