When Should Fluid Resuscitation Be Started for Patients with Suspected Intra-abdominal Infection?
• Patients should undergo rapid restoration of intravascular volume and additional measures as needed to promote physiological stability (A-II). • For patients with septic shock, such resuscitation should begin immediately when hypotension is identified (A-II). • For patients without evidence of volume depletion, intravenous fluid therapy should begin when the diagnosis of intra-abdominal infection is first suspected (B-III). When Should Antimicrobial Therapy Be Initiated for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Intra-abdominal Infection? • Antimicrobial therapy should be initiated once a patient receives a diagnosis of an intra-abdominal infection or once such an infection is considered likely. For patients with septic shock, antibiotics should be administered as soon as possible (A-III). • For patients without septic shock, antimicrobial therapy should be started in the emergency department (B-III). • Satisfactory antimicrobial drug levels should be maintained during a source control
