Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014)
Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014): Suspected SSTI → Clinical Assessment → Purulent or Non-purulent? → Purulent: Abscess/Fur...
Interactive Decision Tree
Algorithm Steps
- ▶Start
Suspected SSTI
Erythema, warmth, swelling, pain
- ●Action
Clinical Assessment
Determine severity and type
- Purulent (abscess/furuncle) vs Non-purulent (cellulitis)
- Mark borders, check for fluctuance
- Assess systemic signs
- ◆Decision
Purulent or Non-purulent?
- ●Action
Purulent: Abscess/Furuncle
I&D is primary treatment
- Incision & Drainage essential
- Culture wound if severe/recurrent
- Antibiotics: TMP-SMX DS BID or Doxy 100mg BID x5-10d
- Add beta-lactam if cellulitis extensive
- ◆Decision
MRSA Risk Factors?
Prior MRSA, IVDU, healthcare exposure
- ●Action
Add MRSA Coverage
If risk factors present
- TMP-SMX DS 1-2 tabs BID
- OR Doxycycline 100mg BID
- OR Clindamycin 300-450mg TID
- For severe: Vancomycin IV
- ◆Decision
Severity Assessment
- ●Action
Outpatient (Mild)
Oral antibiotics x5 days
- ●Action
Reassess 48-72h
Should see improvement
- If worsening: Broaden coverage, imaging, r/o abscess
- ✓Outcome
Resolved
- ⚠Warning
Treatment Failure
Broaden, drain, consider alternative dx
- ●Action
Inpatient (Moderate-Severe)
IV antibiotics
- Cefazolin 1-2g IV q8h OR
- Vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV q12h (MRSA)
- ⚠Warning
Concern for Necrotizing?
Pain out of proportion, crepitus, rapid spread
- See NSTI algorithm
- Emergent surgery consultation
- ●Action
Non-purulent Cellulitis
Strep likely; beta-lactam coverage
- Mild: Cephalexin 500mg QID or Dicloxacillin 500mg QID x5d
- Moderate: Ceftriaxone 1g IV daily
- Mark borders, elevate extremity
- Consider DVT if unilateral leg swelling
Guideline Source
IDSA SSTI Guidelines 2014
Clinical Safety Information
Clinical Decision Support — Not a Substitute for Clinical Judgment
Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.
Known Limitations
- ⚠️ UNVALIDATED DRAFT: This algorithm was AI-generated from guideline summaries and has NOT been reviewed by clinical experts. All doses, thresholds, and pathways MUST be verified against primary sources by qualified clinicians before clinical use. Do not use for patient care without expert validation.
- MRSA prevalence varies by region
- Purulent vs non-purulent distinction is key
- DVT should be ruled out
Applicable Regions
Next steps
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Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014)?
The Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014) is a management clinical algorithm for Infectious Disease. It provides a structured decision tree to guide clinical decision-making, based on IDSA SSTI Guidelines 2014.
What guideline is the Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014) based on?
This algorithm is based on IDSA SSTI Guidelines 2014 (DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu444).
What are the limitations of the Cellulitis & Skin/Soft Tissue Infection Management (IDSA 2014)?
Known limitations include: ⚠️ UNVALIDATED DRAFT: This algorithm was AI-generated from guideline summaries and has NOT been reviewed by clinical experts. All doses, thresholds, and pathways MUST be verified against primary sources by qualified clinicians before clinical use. Do not use for patient care without expert validation.; MRSA prevalence varies by region; Purulent vs non-purulent distinction is key; DVT should be ruled out. Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.
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