Accelerated bacteriological evaluation in the management of lower respiratory tract infection in general practice.

This paper examines the use of overnight accelerated bacteriological evaluation (ABLE) in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection in general practice. The use of ABLE is compared with the empirical prescribing of antibiotics. The results indicate that ABLE leads to a saving in resource use without a deterioration in clinical outcome. In view of there being additional benefits, such as reduced antibiotic exposure and repeat visits, it is concluded that the use of ABLE in the way described would improve the management of lower respiratory tract infection in general practice.