The National Clinical Guideline Development Group’s expectation is that healthcare professionals will use clinical judgment and knowledge: Health Protection Essay, UCC, Ireland

The National Clinical Guideline Development Group’s expectation is that healthcare professionals will use clinical judgment and knowledge in applying the general principles and recommendations contained in this document. Recommendations may not be appropriate in all circumstances and decisions to adopt specific recommendations should be made by the practitioner taking into account the circumstances presented by individual patients and available resources.

Antibiotic stewardship is the subject of ongoing research and debate. Local antibiotic susceptibility data should be used to guide treatment having due regard to the clinical judgment of the prescriber and the individual circumstances of each patient. Therapeutic options should be discussed with a clinical microbiologist or infectious disease physician on a case-by-case basis as necessary.