A Systematic Review of the Effect of Delayed Appropriate Antibiotic Treatment on the Outcomes of Patients With Severe Bacterial Infections

Review (37 RCTs) reported lower mortality in no-delay vs delayed group (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.72). Mortality also lower in the no-delay group vs delayed group in following subgroups: mortality at 20 to 30 days, during ICU stay, or in patients with bacteraemia.

Chest