- The fundamental approach to antimicrobial treatment is to tailor therapy based on the identified causative organism because this strategy ensures the use of the most effective, targeted agent, minimizing unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure.
- This helps in reducing antimicrobial resistance, avoiding toxicity, and improving clinical outcomes.
- Empirical broad-spectrum use is only a temporary measure until microbiological confirmation is available.
- Therapy should be refined according to sensitivity patterns to optimize efficacy and limit collateral damage to the patient’s microbiome.

Reference: Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 23rd Edition, Chapter: Principles of Infectious Disease, Page 1125.