Use of a Rapid Diagnostic Test for Antibiotic De-escalation in Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia

The purpose of this study is to conduct an open-label step-wedge pilot clinical trial to compare an antibiotic strategy based on routine use of a novel rapid diagnostic test to usual care in critically ill adults with severe community acquired pneumonia (SCAP). We hypothesize that when results from a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) are used to guide antibiotic therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure will be reduced in critically ill patients with SCAP without an increase in adverse events.