Abstract
Patients with serious infections at risk of deterioration represent highly challenging clinical situations, and in particular for junior doctors. A comprehensive clinical examination that integrates the assessment of vital signs, hemodynamics, and peripheral perfusion into clinical decision making is key to responding promptly and effectively to evolving acute medical illnesses, such as sepsis or septic shock. Against this background, the new concept of sepsis definition may provide a useful link between junior doctors and consultant decision making. The purpose of this article is to introduce the updated definition of sepsis and suggest its practical implications, with particular emphasis on integrative clinical assessment, allowing for the rapid identification of patients who are at risk of further deterioration.
Highlights
Sepsis is the primary cause of death from infection
A patient admitted with severe sepsis runs a 6–10 × higher risk of death than a patient admitted with acute myocardial infarction and a 4–5 × higher risk than the patient admitted with stroke
The purpose of this article is to introduce the updated definition of sepsis, discuss its limitations on the background of available evidence and suggest its practical implications, with particular emphasis on integrative clinical assessment allowing for rapid identification of patients who are at risk of further deterioration
Summary
Sepsis is the primary cause of death from infection It affects 30 million patients annually, of which 25%–30% die [1]. The financial costs of treating sepsis in the inpatient setting expended by every healthcare system are enormous, reaching 5.2% of all healthcare costs in developed countries [5] Despite these alarming figures, awareness of sepsis by both the lay and professional public remains overshadowed by cardiovascular or oncological diseases. Awareness of sepsis by both the lay and professional public remains overshadowed by cardiovascular or oncological diseases In this context, early recognition of sepsis and risk assessment of patients with serious infections remains a fundamental challenge in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to introduce the updated definition of sepsis, discuss its limitations on the background of available evidence and suggest its practical implications, with particular emphasis on integrative clinical assessment allowing for rapid identification of patients who are at risk of further deterioration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
