Intravenous to oral antibiotic conversion Appendix 8
Before converting from intravenous to oral antibiotics, the following SWITCH criteria should be met:
Benefits to SWITCH include decreased risk of infection from intravenous lines, decreased risk of thrombophlebitis, decreased patient discomfort, savings in nursing time and costs. Please consult the unit pharmacist or ICU specialist if you are unsure before SWITCHing.
* Infections that are unsuitable for SWITCH include bone/joint/CNS infection, bacterial endocarditis, cystic fibrosis/bronchiectasis, undrained abscesses, infected prosthesis, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia
** WBC 4-11 or improving, vital signs normal or normalising
** WBC 4-11 or improving, vital signs normal or normalising