Table 1.

The five Ds of antimicrobial stewardship.

Diagnosis	Make the right diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and laboratory findings
Drug	In the context of empiric treatment, always choose the drug on the base of international guidelines and local epidemiology
Dose	Always use the appropriate dose, avoiding underdosage especially in critical ill setting. Always adjust the dosage in accordance with hepatic and renal impairment
Duration	Pay attention to the right duration of antibiotic treatment. Avoid the “longer is better” mentality
De-escalation	Based on the antimicrobial susceptibility tests results, always de-escalate therapy, preferring monotherapy when possible.