Clinical Stewardship in Action: Leveraging Hematological and Inflammatory Serological Markers to Optimize Infection Management - Abstract
Fever and suspected sepsis are common clinical challenges requiring rapid evaluation and evidence-based management to prevent adverse outcomes.
Early identification and stratification of risk markers are essential for guiding antimicrobial therapy and escalation of care. The aim of this review is to evaluate
the role of clinical stewardship in optimizing the use of inflammatory serological markers for fever and suspected sepsis. The objectives were to classify
inflammatory serological markers based on diagnostic and prognostic utility; Review current evidence on marker-guided antimicrobial therapy; highlight
strategies for integrating stewardship principles into clinical practice.
The review begins with an introduction on the burden of sepsis and the need for rational diagnostics, followed by the concept of clinical stewardship and
its relevance in infection management. It then discusses inflammatory serological markers, their classification, diagnostic accuracy, and clinical implications.
Challenges such as cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and emerging biomarkers are addressed, concluding with recommendations for practice. A structured
pathway is presented for clinicians to initiate antimicrobial therapy promptly, monitor treatment response, and escalate care when indicated. By differentiating
markers based on diagnostic specificity and prognostic value, the tool supports clinical stewardship and reduces unnecessary interventions. It emphasizes
dynamic reassessment based on evolving clinical status and abnormal laboratory trends.
Clinical stewardship and rational use of inflammatory serological markers are essential for improving diagnostic precision, guiding timely interventions, and
reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure. A structured algorithm integrating clinical assessment with tiered marker utilization can enhance patient outcomes and
support antimicrobial stewardship. Future research should validate marker combinations and develop cost-effective protocols for diverse healthcare settings.