We investigated the impact of appropriate versus inappropriate initial antimicrobial
therapy on the clinical outcomes of patients with severe
bacterial infections as part of a systematic review and meta-analyses assessing the impact of delay in appropriate antimicrobial
therapy. Literature searches of MEDLINE and Embase, conducted on 24 July 2018, identified studies published after 2007 reporting the impact of delay in appropriate
antibiotic therapy for hospitalised adult patients with
bacterial infections. Results were statistically pooled for outcomes including mortality, hospital
length of stay (LOS) and treatment failure. Subgroup analyses were explored by site of
infection where data permitted. Inclusion criteria were met by 145 studies, of which 114 reported data on the impact of appropriate versus inappropriate initial
therapy. In the pooled analysis, rates of mortality were significantly in favour of appropriate
therapy [odds ratio (OR) = 0.44, 95% CI 0.38-0.50]. Across eight studies, LOS was shorter with appropriate
therapy compared with inappropriate
therapy [mean difference (MD) -2.54 days (95% CI -5.30 to 0.23)], but not significantly so. The incidence of treatment failure was significantly lower in patients who received appropriate
therapy compared with patients who received inappropriate
therapy (six studies: OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.16-0.66) as was mean hospital costs (four studies: MD -7.38 thousand US$ or Euros, 95% CI -14.14 to -0.62). Initiation of appropriate versus inappropriate
antibiotics can reduce mortality, reduce treatment failure and decrease LOS, highlighting the importance of broad‑spectrum empirical
therapy and rapid diagnostics for early identification of the causative pathogen. [Study registration: PROSPERO: CRD42018104669].