Definition
Starting medication before you know the exact cause—basically educated guessing when you don't have time for diagnosis trivia.
Example Usage
The patient received empirical antibiotics while waiting for culture results to identify the specific pathogen.
Origin
From 'empirical,' meaning based on observation and experience rather than theory.
Fun Fact
Empirical antibiotic therapy saves lives in sepsis cases where waiting for lab results could be fatal.
Source: Clinical treatment guidelines
Related Terms
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See “Empirical Treatment” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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