The impact of an algorithm of mandatory treatment of sepsis on the outcomes of patients suffering from severe sepsis and septic shock

Abstract

Objective To study the impact of therapy strategy on outcomes of patients suffering from severe sepsis and/or septic shock. Method A total of 195 patients diagnosed as severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled for prospective study from June 2008 to December 2009. Patient's clinical manifestation,treatments and outcomes were studied by using SSC database. Patients were divided into control group and treatment group. In control group, patients enrolled from June 2008 to December 2008, were treated with conventional medical care In treatment group, patients enrolled from January 2009 to December 2009 were treated with a novel algorithm of mandatory treatment for sepsis In-hospital mortality of two groups was compared. SPSS15.0 software was used for analysis of data. Chi-square test and unpaired t-test were used for comparisons between groups. Results Compared to the control group The need for blood lactate test was significantly grown in treatment group [98.2% (115/117) versus 2.56% (2/78), P ＜ 0.001]. Antibiotics was administered to 69.2% (81/117) patients of treatment group within 3 hours after their arrival at the emergency department compared to 35.8% (28/78) in the control group (P ＜ 0. 001). Blood cultures made before antibiotics given were 47.9% (56/117) in the treatment group compared to the control group 25.6%(20/78), P = 0. 003. The rate of fluid resuscitation was 80.3% (53/66) in the treatment group and 27%(10/37) in the control group, P ＜0.001. The rate of CVP (8 mmHg was 27.3% (18/66) in the treatment group and 8.1% (3/37) in the control group, P = 0. 023. In-hospital mortality was 29.1% (34/117) in the treatment group and 44.8% (35/78) in the control group, P =0. 032. Conclusions The algorithm of mandatory treatment for sepsis improved the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment for severe sepsis and septic shock, decreasing in-hospital mortality. Key words: Severe sepsis; Septic shock; Therapy strategy; Mortality; Severe infection