TY - JOUR T1 - Broad-spectrum antibacterial regimens for the seriously ill JF - Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO - Drug Ther Bull SP - 33 LP - 36 DO - 10.1136/dtb.24.9.33 VL - 24 IS - 9 A2 - , Y1 - 1986/05/06 UR - http://dtb.bmj.com/content/24/9/33.abstract N2 - In a seriously ill patient with suspected bacterial infection, antibiotics are often started before bacteria are isolated and the diagnosis confirmed. The aim is to prescribe an antibiotic regimen that offers a spectrum of activity against the most likely organisms. Selection depends on the prediction of the bacteria involved and on their susceptibility or resistance to specific antibiotics. A broad-spectrum regimen is used when the organisms involved are difficult to predict or where failure of a narrower spectrum regimen would have serious consequences. Many antibacterial drugs are available which alone or in combination offer differing spectra; this article discusses the choice. ER -