Comparison 1. Quantitative versus qualitative culture.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Mortality	3	1240	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.91 [0.75, 1.11]
2 Antibiotic change	2	827	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.53 [0.54, 4.39]
3 Duration on mechanical ventilation (days)	2	827	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.58 [‐0.51, 1.68]
4 ICU stay (days)	3	1240	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.95 [‐0.14, 2.04]