Empirical treatment is a medical treatment not derived from the scientific method, but derived from observation, survey or common use.

In the medical profession, the term is also used when treatment is started before a diagnosis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...

 is confirmed (example: antibiotics) The most common reason is that investigations are sometimes needed in order to confirm a diagnosis, which take time, and a delay in treatment can harm the patient.