Table 2.

Empirical antibiotic treatment guidelines used in the study hospitals

Infection severitya	First line empirical treatment	Alternative treatment in low risk penicillin allergy	Alternative treatment in high risk penicillin allergy
Low (CURB 65 = 0 to 1)	Amoxicillin	Doxycycline/clarithromycin	Doxycycline/clarithromycin
Moderate (CURB 65 = 2)	Amoxicillin and clarithromycin	Cefuroxime and clarithromycin	Teicoplanin and clarithromycin
High (CURB 65 > 2)	Ceftriaxone and clarithromycin or cefuroxime and clarithromycin	Cefuroxime and clarithromycin	Teicoplanin and clarithromycin

^aCURB 65 is a risk scoring system whose name is an acronym of each of the risk factors measured. Each risk factor scores one point, for a maximum score of 5: Confusion of new onset (defined as an AMTS of 8 or less); blood Urea nitrogen greater than 7 mmol/L (19 mg/dL); Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute or greater; Blood pressure <90 mmHg systolic or diastolic blood pressure 60 mmHg or less; age 65 years or older.