Balancing the urgency of antibiotic treatment with the need for culture data

Knowing the cause of infection is crucial for determining long-term treatment and minimizing unnecessary antibiotic toxicity. While immediate antibiotic administration is necessary for severe infections with systemic signs, in cases of localized wound infections with impending debridement and clinical stability, holding off on antibiotics for 24 hours to obtain accurate culture data can greatly simplify the antibiotic plan.