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Antibiotic Therapy FLASH
Clinical decision-support tool for quick consultation of outpatient antibiotic therapy, with first-line regimens, therapeutic alternatives, doses, duration and practical notes organized by condition and population.
FAQ
Antibiotic Therapy FLASH — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What is Antibiotic Therapy FLASH used for?
Antibiotic Therapy FLASH is a clinical decision-support tool designed for quick consultation of outpatient antibiotic therapy regimens. By selecting the clinical area, subsection, condition and population, it directly displays the first-line options, therapeutic alternatives and the main associated clinical notes.
2) How should the filters be used?
The filters progressively narrow the results. You can begin by selecting a clinical area and, when applicable, a subsection, followed by the relevant condition and population, such as adult, child, woman or pregnant woman. Available options are updated according to the selections made, making it easier to quickly identify the desired clinical scenario.
3) What information is shown in the results?
For each clinical scenario, the tool displays first-line antibiotic therapy, including dose, dosing interval and duration when applicable, as well as therapeutic alternatives and relevant clinical notes. These notes may include situations such as antibiotic allergy, pregnancy, previous treatment, treatment failure, warning signs or other factors that may influence the choice of regimen.
4) What do “first-line” and “alternatives” mean?
First-line refers to the preferred therapeutic regimen for the clinical scenario when there are no factors requiring another choice. Alternatives are options to consider in specific situations such as hypersensitivity, contraindication, intolerance, recent antibiotic treatment or treatment failure.
5) Does the presence of a condition always mean an antibiotic should be prescribed?
No. Some infections are often self-limiting or viral and may not require antibiotic therapy. When applicable, the tool presents in the clinical notes the criteria that may justify antibiotic treatment, watchful waiting, delayed prescribing or referral.
6) Should allergies, pregnancy and comorbidities be considered?
Yes. Antibiotic selection should take into account individual factors such as beta-lactam hypersensitivity, pregnancy, age, comorbidities, renal or hepatic function, drug interactions, recent antibiotic therapy and resistance risk. Whenever these factors are particularly relevant, they are highlighted in the tool’s clinical notes.
7) Are the doses and treatment durations applicable to every patient?
Not necessarily. The regimens shown correspond to general recommendations for the indicated scenarios. It may be necessary to adjust the dose, dosing interval or treatment duration according to age, weight, renal or hepatic function, severity of infection, clinical response and individual patient characteristics.
8) What should be done in the presence of signs of severity or suspected complications?
In the presence of signs of severity, suspected sepsis, local or systemic complications, clinical deterioration or lack of response to treatment, urgent assessment should be considered and, depending on the clinical scenario, referral to the Emergency Department or hospital assessment may be required. Antibiotic Therapy FLASH is primarily intended to support the management of infections in the outpatient setting.
9) Does the tool take antimicrobial resistance into account?
Antibiotic selection should take into account local epidemiology, resistance patterns, available microbiological results and recent antibiotic exposure. Antibiotic Therapy FLASH aims to promote appropriate therapeutic choices and avoid, whenever possible, unnecessary use of broader-spectrum antibiotics.
10) Does Antibiotic Therapy FLASH replace guidelines or clinical judgement?
No. Antibiotic Therapy FLASH is a clinical decision-support tool and does not replace official guidelines, medicinal product information, local protocols or individual clinical judgement. Recommendations should be confirmed and adapted to the patient’s clinical and epidemiological context.
Bibliography
- Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, IP. Unidade Regional do Programa de Prevenção e Controlo de Infeções e de Resistência aos Antimicrobianos. Programa de Apoio à Prescrição de Antibióticos em Ambulatório. Guia de Bolso de Antibioterapia em Ambulatório. 1st edition. Lisbon; April 2024.
06/09/2026
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Area
Subsection
Condition
Population
Clinical decision-support tool. Antibiotic therapy should be adapted to the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological context, allergies, pregnancy, renal/hepatic function and current local recommendations.
| Condition | Population | First-line | Alternatives | Clinical notes |
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