Typically patients present with severe headaches, vomiting, altered mental status, confusion, fevers,etc
ER:
Routine Labs, EKG, CXR, CT head with contrast
Droplet/Respiratory Isolation
Blood Cultures
First dose of IV antibiotics
Lumbar Puncture after CT head results
NPO if altered mental status
Hospitalist:
Telemetry
Neurochecks q 4hrs
IV antibiotics – Vancomycin 15mg/kg IV q 12hrs, Ceftriaxone 2g IV q 12hrs, Ampicillin 2g IV q 6hrs
ID evaluation Fall Precautions, Bed Rest