Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use for pneumonia patients

Reducing Antimicrobial Overuse Through Targeted Therapy for Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Not applicable Interventional The Cleveland Clinic · NCT05568654

This study is testing different ways to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in pneumonia patients by using quick tests and help from pharmacists to see if it can lead to better treatment outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment12500 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic Academic / other
Locations12 sites (Vero Beach, Florida and 11 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05568654 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to minimize the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by implementing rapid diagnostic testing and pharmacist-led de-escalation strategies. It will be conducted as a pragmatic, multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial over three years, comparing four different approaches: rapid diagnostic testing, pharmacist-led de-escalation, a combination of both, and usual care. The goal is to enhance the accuracy of pathogen detection and improve antibiotic stewardship practices following negative culture results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are admitted to a participating hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those admitted to intensive care within 24 hours, those receiving comfort care only, or those with known pathogens prior to admission.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure and improve patient outcomes in pneumonia treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in reducing antibiotic overuse through targeted therapies, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for patient's records:

1. Men or women greater than or equal to 18 years of age
2. Admitted to a participating (i.e. enrolled and randomized) hospital
3. Admitting diagnosis of pneumonia

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Admission to intensive care unit within 24 hours of hospital admission
2. Comfort care measures only
3. Cystic fibrosis
4. Discharged from an acute care hospital in the past week
5. Patients not eligible for empiric therapy due to a known pathogen (any positive blood or respiratory cultures in the 72 hours prior to admission)

Where this trial is running

Vero Beach, Florida and 11 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Community-Acquired PneumoniaAntimicrobial StewardshipPoint-of-Care Testing
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.