Infections in the elderly — Stratification by age is not enough

Higher susceptibility to infection and diagnostic uncertainty in elderly patients can lead to increased levels of antibiotic exposure, limiting antibiotic effectiveness and resulting in antibiotic resistance.

Challenges of infection management in elderly patients:

Increased length of stay

Higher hospital mortality

Increased hospital costs

Increased length of stay

Higher hospital mortality

Increased hospital costs

Bar graph and table showing a reduction in antibiotic exposure for patients (<75 years, 75-80 years, 80-85 years, and >85 years) receiving PCT-aided ABS compared to those receiving standard of care. Antibiotic exposure was reduced by 2.01 days for all patients.

Procalcitonin (PCT) testing has been demonstrated to aid in decreasing diagnostic uncertainty and can improve antibiotic decision making, facilitating effective antibiotic stewardship (ABS). This can lead to reduced unnecessary antibiotic exposure in all patients, including those over the age of 75.

PCT testing can allow physicians to gain more timely information, even in elderly patients with atypical presentation of symptoms

Watch to learn more:

26th Symposium on Infections in the Critically Ill Patient (2022)

Discover the impact of PCT on antibiotic stewardship

Photograph of a physician having a discussion with an elderly patient in a hospital bed

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