Procalcitonin Stop Rule

Procalcitonin Stop Rule: Use PCT kinetics alongside clinical stability to support antibiotic discontinuation.

Clinical Factors

Assessment Tier

Continue

Score 0

Current profile does not support stopping antibiotics.

Guidelines & Evidence

Clinical Details

Section 1

When to Use

Use during early bedside triage when infection severity or treatment escalation is uncertain.

Support clinician judgement with a structured review of the highest-yield risk factors.

Standardise communication between admitting, ID, ICU, and pharmacy teams.

Section 2

Formula & Logic

Scoring Logic

PCT decline >80% from peak (+3)

Absolute PCT <0.25 µg/L (+2)

Clinical stability achieved (+2)

No uncontrolled source (+1)

Profound immunosuppression (-1)

Ongoing sepsis or shock (-3)

Section 3

Next Steps

Clinical Actions

Interpret the result together with source control, microbiology, host factors, and trajectory.

Escalate imaging, cultures, or specialist review when the tool lands in a high-risk tier.

Reassess dynamically if the patient deteriorates or new microbiology becomes available.

Section 4

Pearls/Pitfalls

Important Caveat

This tool supports structured infectious-disease decision making but does not replace clinician judgement or local guideline pathways.

Section 5

Evidence Appraisal

Evidence Base

This OpiCalc infectious-disease entry reflects commonly used guideline criteria and bedside risk features used in contemporary clinical practice.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Infectious Disease Tools

MSIS Criteria

Needlestick Exposure Risk

nPEP Eligibility

Occupational HIV PEP

OI Prophylaxis Restart

ORENUC Classification

PAGE B Score

Parapneumonic Effusion Complexity

Parapneumonic PH Management

PCP Prophylaxis

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.