After inclusion in the trial, treatment allocation was established through an independent central randomization center. Stratified randomization per center was based on computer generated tables. Patients were either randomized to the intervention group, where clinically stable patients were switched from IV to oral antibiotics on the 3rd day of hospitalization to complete a total of 10 days antibiotic treatment, or to the control group, who received a standard regimen of 7 days of intravenous therapy. Clinical stability was defined as respiratory rate < 25/min, O2 saturation > 90% or arterial pO2>55mmHg, hemodynamically stable, > 1oC decrease in temperature in case of fever, absent mental confusion and the ability to take oral medication 10. Antibiotic choices were left to the discretion of the attending consultant and were based on Dutch treatment guidelines 20.