Expert opinion on drug safety
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The altered pathophysiology in critically ill patients presents a unique challenge in both the diagnosis of infection and the appropriate prescription of antibiotics. In this context, the importance of effective and timely treatment needs to be weighed against the individual and community harms associated with antibiotic collateral damage and antibiotic resistance. ⋯ Prescribing teams must be aware of the impact of critical illness on their patients and tailor antibiotic therapy appropriately to prevent the significant harms associated with suboptimal antibiotic administration.