Consult Infectious Diseases, Orthopedics.

 

Blood culture should be obtained prior to starting antibiotics if safe for patient.

 

If surgical intervention is planned and patient is stable, consider starting antibiotics after bone/tissue culture has been obtained to maximize possibility of accurate microbiologic diagnosis.

 

IV to PO transition:

Consider once afebrile, clinically improved, and CRP decreasing. PO regimen will depend on whether a pathogen was isolated from blood or tissue culture and should be tailored to the narrowest possible spectrum.

 

Length of Therapy (Total IV + PO):

4-6 weeks, dependent on extent of disease and clinical improvement³