Factors influencing antimicrobial prescription attitudes in bloodstream infections: susceptibility results and beyond. An exploratory survey

Novel rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (RAST) methods promise quicker de-escalation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, other behavioural and situational factors influencing antimicrobial prescription are not well known.

Antimicrobial choice is influenced by each country´s type of practice, clinical course and susceptibility results. Antimicrobial resistance was associated with increased optimal treatment, suggesting RAST may be less useful for step-down decisions in settings with low baseline resistance rates.