Although empiric selection of antibiotics should be based on the local distribution of pathogens associated with HAP and their antimicrobial susceptibilities, routine coverage of Staphylococcus aureus (not necessarily methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa or other gram-negative bacilli is recommended¹.

In patients not at high risk of mortality (including ventilatory support and septic shock) or risk for MRSA (i.e.prior IV antibiotic use within 90 days, hospitalization in a unit where >20% of S. aureus isolates are MRSA or the prevalence of MRSA is unknown), piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, levofloxacin, imipenem or meropenem alone is suggested.

In patients not at high risk of mortality but with factors that increase the likelihood of MRSA, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime/ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin, imipenem/meropenem, or aztreonam, plus vancomycin or linezolid should be considered.

In patients at high risk of mortality or receipt of IV antibiotics during the prior 90 days vancomycin or linezolid plus 2 of the following should be used: piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime/ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin, imipenem/meropenem, amikacin/gentamicin/tobramycin, or aztreonam are recommended (avoid double β-lactams).

In patients with structural lung disease increasing the risk of gram-negative infections (ie, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis), double anti-pseudomonal coverage is recommended.

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Reference

1. Kalil AC, Metersky ML, Klompas M, et al. Management of adults with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia: 2016 clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society. Clin Infect Dis, Advance Access published July 14, 2016.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27418577