RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sepsis has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aims were to determine predictors of mortality among patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) and to ascertain the role of quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) in predicting poor outcomes. METHODS: All internal medicine patients with BSIs at the Hospital of Jura, Switzerland during a three year period (July 2014 to June 2017) were included. RESULTS: Among 404 BSIs, Escherichia coli represented the most common species isolated (156 episodes; 38.6%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (68; 16.8%). The most common site of infection was urinary tract accounting for 39.6% of BSIs (160 episodes). Thirty-day mortality was 18.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed BSI due to staphylococci, malignancy (haematologic or solid organ), qSOFA≥2 points, Pitt bacteraemia score as independent predictors of mortality, while appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy and administration of antibiotic therapy within three hours from infection's recognition were identified as a predictor of good prognosis. qSOFA showed the highest sensitivity (87.7%), negative predictive value (96.6%) and accuracy (0.83) as compared to other scores. Mortality among 141 septic patients was 45.4%. Malignancy (haematologic or solid organ), primary BSI, Pitt bacteraemia score, were independently associated with mortality, while appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy and administration of antibiotic therapy within the first hour from infection's recognition were associated with better prognosis. CONCLUSION: qSOFA as compared to other severity scores showed an excellent negative predictive value. Better prognosis was associated with administration of appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy and its timely initiation.