Improving severe sepsis outcomes: cost and time to first antibiotic dose.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of an empiric antimicrobial guide on clinical and economic outcomes related to severe sepsis. As all critical care nurses know, severe sepsis is often life-threatening. The study found that an empiric antimicrobial guide specific for severe sepsis was associated with a reduced length of stay, a significantly earlier time to first dose antibiotic, and significantly lower total and variable hospital costs.