EXPERT PERSPECTIVES · INFECTION UNCOVERED PCT PODCAST SERIES
This educational podcast series brings together internationally recognized experts to discuss the evolving role of biomarkers, antimicrobial stewardship, and evidence-based infection management.
Episode 1
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Dr. Ron Daniels discuss sepsis, including risk factors, warning signs, prevention, public awareness, and how advanced diagnostics and AI could transform infection care.
Episode 2
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Dr. Ron Daniels explore sepsis awareness, patient advocacy, antimicrobial resistance, survivor support, and faster diagnostics.
Episode 3
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Luke Moore discuss the challenges of diagnosing sepsis and the role of clinical scores, cultures, biomarkers, AI, and diagnostic stewardship.
Episode 4
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Dr. Ceri discuss responsible antibiotic prescribing, de-escalation, biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and reviewing treatment by 72 hours.
Episode 5
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Luke Moore discuss using clinical data, personalized treatment, and shared decision-making to stop antibiotics safely.
Episode 6
Dr. Ross Stevenson and Dr. Ceri Phillips discuss how procalcitonin can support antibiotic decisions, monitor infection response, guide testing, and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.
The six-episode editorial strategy covers the full continuum from sepsis awareness and antimicrobial resistance to biomarker implementation and stewardship in routine clinical practice.
The 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign reinforces that antimicrobial stewardship is an integral component of high-quality sepsis care.
For adults with sepsis or septic shock who have achieved adequate source control and whose optimal duration of antibiotic therapy remains uncertain, the guideline suggests using procalcitonin together with clinical evaluation to support decisions on antibiotic discontinuation.
Explore the latest recommendations, expert discussions, and scientific evidence supporting antibiotic optimization in sepsis.
Antimicrobial stewardship is now embedded throughout sepsis management. The 2026 SSC emphasizes:
The guideline recognizes stewardship as an essential part of improving outcomes while reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure.
KEY RECOMMENDATION
The 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign states: for adults with an initial diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock, adequate source control, and uncertain optimal treatment duration, the guideline suggests using procalcitonin together with clinical evaluation to decide when antimicrobial therapy can be discontinued.
Recommendation strength: this recommendation builds upon previous guidance and incorporates additional evidence, including the ADAPT-Sepsis randomized trial supporting safe reduction in antibiotic duration through PCT-aided discontinuation strategies.
SSC 2026
Clinical judgment remains the foundation of diagnosis and treatment. No single biomarker should be used to diagnose or exclude sepsis.
| Publication |
|---|
| Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026 International Guidelines |
| ADAPT-Sepsis Trial |
| Key randomized trials on PCT-guided antibiotic discontinuation |
| Antimicrobial stewardship implementation studies |
LIBRARY
