Recommendation ID
CG191/2
Question
In patients hospitalised with moderate- to high-severity community-acquired pneumonia, does using C-reactive protein monitoring in addition to clinical observation to guide antibiotic duration safely reduce the total duration of antibiotic therapy compared with a fixed empirical antibiotic course?
Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)
The recommended duration of antibiotic therapy for adults hospitalised with moderate- to high-severity community-acquired pneumonia is based on evidence of very low quality; no relevant clinical trials were identified by NICE. The burden of community-acquired pneumonia is large, and its treatment accounts for a high proportion of antibiotic use in hospitals. Overuse of antibiotics is associated with antimicrobial resistance, which is a national and global priority.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance
Pneumonia in adults: diagnosis and management
Number
CG191
Date issued
December 2014

Other details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research? No  
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?   No  
Last Reviewed 06/01/2015