Managing sepsis: Electronic recognition, rapid response teams, and standardized care save lives

Faheem W. Guirgis, Lisa Jones, Rhemar Esma, Alice Weiss, Kaitlin McCurdy, Jason Ferreira, Christina Cannon, Laura McLauchlin, Carmen Smotherman, Dale F. Kraemer, Cynthia Gerdik, Kendall Webb, Jin Ra, Frederick A. Moore, Kelly Gray-Eurom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose Sepsis can lead to poor outcomes when treatment is delayed or inadequate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after initiation of a hospital-wide sepsis alert program. Materials and methods Retrospective review of patients ≥ 18 years treated for sepsis. Results There were 3917 sepsis admissions: 1929 admissions before, and 1988 in the after phase. Mean age (57.3 vs. 57.1, p = 0.94) and Charlson Comorbidity Scores (2.52 vs. 2.47, p = 0.35) were similar between groups. Multivariable analyses identified significant reductions in the after phase for odds of death (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, p = 0.046), mean intensive care unit LOS (2.12 days before, 95%CI 1.97, 2.34; 1.95 days after, 95%CI 1.75, 2.06; p < 0.001), mean overall hospital LOS (11.7 days before, 95% CI 10.9, 12.7 days; 9.9 days after, 95% CI 9.3, 10.6 days, p < 0.001), odds of mechanical ventilation use (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39, 0.99, p = 0.007), and total charges with a savings of $7159 per sepsis admission (p = 0.036). There was no reduction in vasopressor use (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.75, 0.1.06, p = 0.18). Conclusion A hospital-wide program utilizing electronic recognition and RRT intervention resulted in improved outcomes in patients with sepsis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)296-302
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Critical Care
Volume40
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2017

Keywords

  • Clinical decision support
  • Rapid response teams
  • Resuscitation
  • Sepsis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Managing sepsis: Electronic recognition, rapid response teams, and standardized care save lives'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this