Abstract
Background
. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an ED sepsis protocol on the time to antibiotics for emergency department (ED) patients with severe sepsis.
Methods
. Quasiexperimental prospective study was conducted at the emergency department. Consecutive patients with severe sepsis were included before and after the implementation of a sepsis protocol. The outcome measures were time from recognition of severe sepsis/septic shock to first antibiotic dose delivery and the appropriateness of initial choice of antibiotics based on the presumed source of infection.
Results
. There were 47 patients in preintervention group and 112 patients in postintervention group. Before implementation, mean time from severe sepsis recognition to delivery of antibiotics was 140 ± 97 minutes. During the intervention period, the mean time was 68 ± 67 minutes, with an overall reduction of 72 minutes. The protocol resulted in an overall improvement of 37% in the compliance, as 62% received appropriate initial antibiotics for the presumed source of infection as compared to 25% before the start of protocol.
Conclusion
. Implementation of ED sepsis protocol improved the time from recognition of severe sepsis/septic shock to first antibiotic dose delivery as well as the appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy.