title: Fever and the rational use of antimicrobials in the emergency department.
abstract: Any patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) with fever triggers consideration of the administration of an antimicrobial. Empiric antimicrobial therapy has become a cornerstone of treatment. Frequently, the decision to initiate empiric treatment needs to be made before the definitive diagnosis is known. In such cases, an organized approach is helpful. This article aims to provide a systems-based approach to prescribing antimicrobials to patients presenting to the ED with fever, while understanding the risk associated with overutilization. An understanding of the key considerations is needed to ensure that decisions are made well and appropriate treatment begins promptly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, The University Hospitals of Columbia and Cornell, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Raquel F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouyang
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotics; Antifungals; Antimicrobial resistance; Antivirals; Fever; Hospital-acquired infections