title: [Scientific evidence and antimicrobial therapy: A perfect couple?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dynamics of infectious diseases at the end of the century claims for the use of evidence-based medicine in clinical and public health decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description of the methodological process of a systematic review of the evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Description of the stages of a systematic review of the evidence taking as case-study an example of the prevention of respiratory infection in acute care unit patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The case-study described allows us to make recommendations based on the value of evidence to make clinical decisions on the use of antimicrobial therapy.
authors.affiliation: Servei Català de Salut, Departament de Sanitat i Seguretat Social, Barcelona. fundacio.josep.laporte@uab.es
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jovell
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000639:trends; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents