Table 1.

Examples of Patient-Specific and Local Considerations for Use of Oral Antibiotics for Treatment of SSTIs in Emergency Department Setting

Key consideration	Examples of patient-specific considerations
Empiric coverage for common, resistant pathogens	Has prior antibiotic therapy failed? Is there a high level of community resistance to clindamycin in Staphylococcus aureus? Is there a high level of community resistance to tetracycline for beta-hemolytic streptococci?
Patient comorbidities or age ≥65 years	Does the patient have renal dysfunction, or is the patient at high risk for renal dysfunction (due to, eg, age ≥65 years or diabetes)? Is the patient unable to tolerate alternative therapy (due to, eg, allergy history, high serum potassium level with TMP/SMX use)? Is an agent associated with a lower risk of CDI available, especially in older patients or those with a history of CDI?
Potential for drug interactions	Is the patient taking a serotonergic drug that may interact with linezolid?
Improved adherence	Would the patient benefit from improved adherence with a once-daily dosing regimen?
Accessibility	Are there drug cost or other accessibility issues (eg, required prior authorization or access through a limited distribution network)?

Abbreviations: CDI, Clostridioides difficile infection; SSTI, skin and soft tissue infection; TMP/SMX, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.