Definition of non-adherence
PCT
There will be multiple measures of non-adherence, reflecting different stages of the clinical decision-making. Reasons for non-consideration of the PCT result or non-adherence to the algorithm can be broken down into three steps (Table Types of non-adherence3a. If the PCT result was considered, protocol does not require clinicians to follow the PCT-guided algorithm. Clinical judgement may override the PCT-guided algorithm. Therefore, non-adherence to the PCT-guided algorithm is consistent with adherence to intervention policy3b. If the PCT result was available but not considered, clinical judgement may or may not agree with the PCT-guided algorithm. Therefore, non-adherence to the PCT-guided algorithm will also be considered independently of adherence to the intervention policyFor those patients whose clinical reviews were adherent to the intervention policy (steps 1 and 2), we will investigate step 3a by comparing the actual clinical decision with the recommendation given by the PCT-guided algorithm. For patients whose procedures were adherent to step 1, we will separately investigate step 3b by comparing the actual clinical decision with the recommendation given by the PCT-guided algorithm, regardless of adherence to step 2.In this clinical context, contamination of the control arm is very unlikely, i.e., we do not expect that any patient in the control arm will have a PCT test done.