Most patients with aspiration event do not develop pneumonia; antibiotics are NOT required for aspiration pneumonitis.
Patients with adequate respiratory reserve can be monitored safely off antibiotics.
Fever and new chest radiograph (CXR) opacification can be seen in both aspiration pneumonitis and pneumonia.
Piperacillin-tazobactam is not first line therapy for hospital acquired “aspiration” pneumonia and should be reserved for patients at high risk for antibiotic resistant organisms.
