The study subjects are adults treated for HAP/VAP in ICU, who should be enrolled within 24 hrs since the first administration of antibiotics. Informed consent are obtained from the subjects or their legal proxies. Due to the unique characteristics of ICU and the current COVID-19 pandemic, consent may be obtained via telephone when given by legal proxies; written consent should be obtained later. The subjects who meet the inclusion criteria are randomized into either intervention and control arms in 1:1 ratio. Respiratory specimens from the subjects in the intervention arm are tested with the FilmArray Pneumonia panel. Other routine microbiologic tests are performed for the subjects in both arms. The results are reported via electronic medical record, and the treating physicians may adjust antibiotic regimen with the assistance from the guidance formulated by the study investigators. No intervention is made on the antimicrobial treatment in the control arm. Primary outcomes are (1) the proportion of appropriate/optimal early antibiotic regimen and (2) the time to the administration of appropriate antibiotics.
Microbiologic diagnosis of pneumonia is often limited by a long turnaround time of cultures. This randomized trial aims to evaluate the impact of BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia panel on (1) the proportion of appropriate/optimal early antibiotic regimen and (2) the time to the administration of appropriate antibiotics in patients treated for hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP) in ICU.