Trial Overview

The SHORTER trial is comparing different antibiotic durations for sepsis.

  • Normally, antibiotics are given for 7 or more days to treat sepsis

  • In the trial, some participants will be given antibiotics for 5 days

Participants of the trial are selected at random by a computer to receive either the standard duration of antibiotic treatment, or the shorter 5-day treatment duration. After 3 months, they complete a brief health questionnaire.

Is it safe?

Participant’s hospital stay or care will not change as a result of taking part in the SHORTER trial. In addition, hospital staff closely monitor the health of all participants and make sure they are not put at risk. So, antibiotics will be given to participants for as long as they need, even if that means receiving more than 5 days of treatment. This information is still very useful to the trial.

Want to know more?

More detailed information about the SHORTER trial can be found on the ISRCTN registry here.