Initial emergency department diagnosis and management of adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine · 2012-06-27 · Other / unclear
Abstract
Severe sepsis is a medical emergency affecting up to 18 million individuals world wide, with an annual incidence of 750,000 in North America alone. Mortality ranges between 28-50% of those individuals stricken by severe sepsis. Sepsis is a time critical illness, requiring early identification and prompt intervention in order to improve outcomes. This observation has led to increased awareness and education in the field of Emergency Medicine; it has also led to the implementation of critical interventions early in the course of patient management, specifically Early-Goal Directed Therapy, and rapid administration of appropriate antimicrobials. This review begins with a brief summary of the pathophysiology of sepsis, and then addresses the fundamental clinical aspects of ED identification and resuscitation of the septic patient.
Tags
Antibiotics · Cardiovascular drugs · Crystalloids · Fluids & blood · Other drugs · Vasopressors