Antibiotics are not routinely indicated at the initial aspiration event. If chest radiograph is clear, one can withhold antibiotics and reassess at 24-48 hours. Liquid feeds are usually sterile.
Diagnostic criteria
Routine Practices
Oral anaerobes, H. influenzae, other gram negative enteric bacilli (in patients who have tracheostomies or have chronic lung disease)
Streptococcus sp.
OR
If known to be colonized with resistant Enterobacteriaceae
OR
3 - 5 days