Antibiotic use in the intensive care unit: The old and the new

Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs; however, inappropriate use of these medications can lead to significant complications, especially the emergence of resistant organisms. Familiarity with their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and volumes of distributions is of the utmost importance in their safe and effective administration. Similarly, indications for their use, proper dosing, dosages, and routes of elimination must be taken into account during their administration. This chapter covers in great detail the principles of antimicrobial therapy including prophylaxis, empiric administration of antibiotics, as well as the duration of therapy. Proper and continuous efforts to identify pathologic bacteria and the ability to differentiate colonizing bacteria is of the utmost importance.