Reduced mortality after the implementation of a protocol for the early detection of severe sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the impact that implementing an in-hospital protocol for the early detection of sepsis risk has on mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in 2 phases at 2 general hospitals in Brazil. In phase I, patients with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified and treated in accordance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Over the subsequent 12 months (phase II), patients with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified by means of active surveillance for signs of sepsis risk (SSR). We compared the 2 cohorts in terms of demographic variables, the time required for the identification of at least 2 SSRs, compliance with sepsis bundles (6- and 24-hour), and mortality rates. RESULTS: We identified 217 patients with severe sepsis/septic shock (102 during phase I and 115 during phase II). There were significant differences between phases I and II in terms of the time required for the identification of at least 2 SSRs (34 ± 48 vs 11 ± 17 hours; P < .001) and in terms of in-hospital mortality (61.7% vs 38.2%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The early detection of sepsis promoted early treatment, reducing in-hospital mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock.

Estratégia de detecção precoce e redução de mortalidade na sepse grave / Early detection strategy and mortality reduction in severe sepsis

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da aplicação de uma política institucional para detecção da sepse grave ou choque séptico. MÉTODOS: Estudo antes (fase I)/depois (fase II) com coleta prospectiva de dados em hospital público de 195 leitos. Fase I: Pacientes com sepse grave ou choque séptico foram incluídos consecutivamente durante 15 meses e tratados conforme diretrizes da Campanha Sobrevivendo à Sepse. Fase II: Nos 10 meses subseqüentes, pacientes com sepse grave ou choque séptico foram arrolados a partir da busca ativa de sinais sugestivos de infecção nos pacientes internados. As duas fases foram comparadas entre si no que diz respeito às variáveis demográficas, tempo necessário para reconhecimento de pelo menos dois sinais sugestivos de infecção (Δt-SSI), aderência aos pacotes de 6 e 24 horas, e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 124 pacientes com sepse grave ou choque séptico, 68 na fase I e 56 na fase II. As variáveis demográficas foram semelhantes nas fases. O Δt-SSI foi de 34 ± 54 horas na fase I e 7 ± 8,4 horas na fase II (p < 0,001). Não houve diferença na aderência aos pacotes de tratamento. Paralelamente, observou-se redução significativa das taxas de mortalidade ao 28º dia (54,4 por cento na fase I versus 30 por cento na fase II; p < 0,02) e hospitalar (67,6 por cento na fase I versus 41 por cento na fase II; p < 0,003). CONCLUSÃO: A estratégia utilizada contribuiu para a identificação antecipada do risco de sepse e resultou em diminuição da mortalidade associada à sepse grave e ao choque séptico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of implementing an institutional policy for detection of severe sepsis and septic shock. METHODS: Study before (stage I), after (stage II) with prospective data collection in a 195 bed public hospital.. Stage I: Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were included consecutively over 15 months and treated according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Stage II: In the 10 subsequent months, patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled based on an active search for signs suggesting infection (SSI) in hospitalized patients. The two stages were compared for demographic variables, time needed for recognition of at least two signs suggesting infection (SSI-Δt), compliance to the bundles of 6 and 24 hours and mortality. RESULTS: We identified 124 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, 68 in stage I and 56 in stage II. The demographic variables were similar in both stages. The Δt-SSI was 34 ± 54 hours in stage I and 7 ± 8.4 hours in stage II (p <0.001). There was no difference in compliance to the bundles. In parallel there was significant reduction of mortality rates at 28 days (54.4 percent versus 30 percent, p <0.02) and hospital (67.6 percent versus 41 percent, p <0.003). CONCLUSION: The strategy used helped to identify early risk of sepsis and resulted in decreased mortality associated with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Early detection strategy and mortality reduction in severe sepsis. / Estratégia de detecção precoce e redução de mortalidade na sepse grave.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of implementing an institutional policy for detection of severe sepsis and septic shock. METHODS: Study before (stage I), after (stage II) with prospective data collection in a 195 bed public hospital.. Stage I: Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were included consecutively over 15 months and treated according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Stage II: In the 10 subsequent months, patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled based on an active search for signs suggesting infection (SSI) in hospitalized patients. The two stages were compared for demographic variables, time needed for recognition of at least two signs suggesting infection (SSI-Δt), compliance to the bundles of 6 and 24 hours and mortality. RESULTS: We identified 124 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, 68 in stage I and 56 in stage II. The demographic variables were similar in both stages. The Δt-SSI was 34 ± 54 hours in stage I and 7 ± 8.4 hours in stage II (p <0.001). There was no difference in compliance to the bundles. In parallel there was significant reduction of mortality rates at 28 days (54.4% versus 30%, p <0.02) and hospital (67.6% versus 41%, p <0.003). CONCLUSION: The strategy used helped to identify early risk of sepsis and resulted in decreased mortality associated with severe sepsis and septic shock.