Predictive ED-Based Pediatric Assessment Tool Identifies Children at High Risk for Infection Related Decompensation

Abstract

Introduction Disseminated infections in children, including sepsis, are serious conditions that may lead to organ dysfunction, decompensation, and death. Early recognition and treatment are known to improve patient outcomes. Problem A prior chart review examining a six-month period at the study hospital identified 24 cases of pediatric severe sepsis that developed within 48 hours of patient arrival at the ED. The prolonged mean time from arrival to IV antibiotics (5.7 hours) and fluid bolus (4.3 hours) for these patients suggested that an automated assessment tool might expedite disease recognition and treatment. Methods A …