ABSTRACT Sepsis is a phenomenon in which an infective agent results in a physiological response in excess of the pathogenic insult. Efforts to define and investigate sepsis have been somewhat fruitful in elucidating the nuances of this phenomenon. Yet, gaps exist in identifying and investigating sepsis. Recent efforts have streamlined the definition and identification criteria of sepsis and septic shock. The treatment of sepsis is based on the elements of identification, hemodynamic interventions (fluid and vasopressor resuscitation), and antimicrobial therapy/source control. A two-tiered approach employing the qSOFA (Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment) and SOFA (Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment) tools now provide a succinct criteria for sepsis and septic shock. Various approaches may be taken to assess fluid responsiveness, provide fluid resuscitation, and determine the need for vasopressor support. Early, aggressive antimicrobial therapy is essential to the treatment of sepsis. Obtaining source control and considering early surgical …show more content…
The fundamental principle of the phenomenon known as sepsis is an amplified immune response to a pathogen. It is important to note that the insult originates from the excessive host response to, rather than the pathogenicity of, the infective agent1. The upregulation of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1α/β, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ, and MIF) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β, and IL-4) mediators have been found in various sepsis states2. The exact function, value, and limits of this peculiar, and extravagant, immune response is not fully understood3. Historically, sepsis and processes within the sepsis spectrum have been difficult to truly identify and diagnose1. In 2012, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign identified three major categories of the phenomenon: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic
Septic shock is the leading cause of death for patients in intensive care units and is the final stage in a continuum of infectious and inflammatory processes. This continuum begins with bacteremia, which is the presence of bacteria in the blood. Normally the body’s immune system can fight off a localized infection caused by a small amount of bacteria in the blood and the person will remain asymptomatic. However, a hospitalized patient could be immunocompromised, have a
Is sepsis complicated by organ dysfunction, is diagnosed in more than 750,000 patients per year and has mortality rates as high as 28%-50%.
The number of documented cases has been rising every year. “This may be due to the aging population, the increased longevity of people with chronic disease, the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms, an upsurge in invasive procedures and broader use of immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic agents” (National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 2014). The mortality rate for sepsis ranges from about thirty percent for patients with sepsis to fifty percent in patients who develop septic shock. Mortality rate varies as to how many organs have been affected. Twenty percent mortality for one organ failure, forty percent for two organs failing, sixty-five to seventy percent for three failed organs, and seventy-five to eighty-five percent when four or more organs have failed. The cost related to sepsis is about seventeen billion dollars per year (about twenty-two thousand dollars per patient), which is six times greater than the cost of patients without sepsis.
Sepsis is defined by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) as “the presence (probable or documented) of infection together with systemic manifestations of infection” (Dellinger et al.,
There is a disease continuum with increasing severity if not treated or not responsive to treatment o Sepsis
Under the Core measures, Sepsis is one of the problem-focused trigger for systemic infection and if untreated which can lead to death. In United States, it is the 11th leading cause of death and consumes the large amount of costs about $20.3 billion in 2011 (Jones et al.,2016). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.5 million people diagnosed with sepsis, and at least 250,000 patients die from that yearly (CDC, 2017). The evidence-based research revealed with results of certain pre existing conditions, pathophysiological studies, preventive measures and sepsis bundle for treating and preventing sepsis to save the life of the patients.
According to information published by the Mayo Clinic, sepsis has three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. The mortality rate for septic shock is nearly 50 per cent, and an episode of severe sepsis increases the risk of future infections. Severe sepsis causes blood flow to the vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, to become impaired. Sepsis can also cause blood clots to form in organs and extremities such as arms, legs, fingers and toes, which can lead to organ failure and tissue death (gangrene).
Sepsis is a severe complication of an inflammatory response due to various pathogens with the mortality rates ranging anywhere between twenty-five to thirty percent (Epstein, Dantes, Magill, & Fiore, 2016). Sepsis can be precipitated by various infections including some of the most common ones, like urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and cellulitis. An early sepsis recognition is crucial in improving patient outcomes and decreasing mortality rate. Thus, it is very important for a health care provider to start the necessary diagnostics and implementation of fluids, antibiotics, vasopressors and other necessary treatments based on the
Along with factors such as the increasing age of the population and better recognition of the disease (5), the definition of sepsis has recently changed (6), which makes it difficult to both quantify the incidence and interpret
Sepsis, referred by many as “blood poisoning (a non-medical term)”, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency intervention by medical and nursing staffs. It occurs when bacteria or their products or sometimes both reach the patient blood. Even though bacteria infections are the predominant causes of sepsis, it can have other causes such from fungal infections and any other types of infections. Once the patient has sepsis, suddenly they start displaying clinical cues to alert health care teams that emergency care is required. If early interventions are not made, sepsis may progress to septic shock, ultimately death. Knowing the stages of sepsis is crucial so that treatment can be made in accordance to the causes. Early reversal
Sepsis and Septic Shock have been my personal topic after the life of young Kamil Williams and a 31-year-old Texas man who both contacted a bacterial infection later turn into sepsis. Although I have not formally studied it during my school or university years, I still find the human body, how it can break down and react to certain ailments interesting. The next question would be why does this happen? Well when there is infection or insult upon the body’s immune system normal reacts and causing an inflammatory response. This normally a good thing and it promotes healing and the resolution of the insult, however in Septic Shock the inflammatory response comes explosive and uncontrollable. According to Allison Hotujec, the author of “Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Protocols,” Sepsis has been called a “malignant intravascular inflammation.” The term malignant is because it is uncontrolled unregulated and self-perpetuating, in the usual immune response here is release of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, these balance to promote tissue
If one believes that someone has Sepsis, then it is strongly recommended to visit the doctors for medical assistance. If one has been diagnosed with Sepsis, then the doctor present will inject antibiotics into the patients bloodstream, noted from healthline.com. Of course, he or she will be closely monitored until it has been ruled out. Once finished, the person who had Sepsis will have to do a checkup to make sure it does not come back. When it is over, the person will be able to go home and get a goods nights rest.
But comparatively if we relate it to modern findings we find that, recent studies have shown that sepsis is a widely prevalent syndrome, but have led to better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and development of newly applied therapies, these therapies focus at early and aggressive management of severe sepsis/ septic
Tazbir (2012) and Schorr, Odden, Evans, Escobar, Bandi, Townsend, and Levy (2016) developed articles that are specific to the medical-surgical unit and defined several factors as to what may play into the higher mortality rate of the patients that are diagnosed there. Schorr et al. (2016) further examined and compared emergency department (ED) versus medical surgical treatment of sepsis. Kleinpell, Aitken, and Schorr (2013) gave thorough, in-depth knowledge of nurses’ role, sepsis, and treatment guidelines describing initial, three-hour, and six-hour bundles. Medley O’Keefe, Gatewood, Wemple, Greco, Kritek, and Durvasula (2015) gave interesting statistics to support nurse-driven testing and sepsis-specific goal-directed therapy. Lopez-Bushneil, Demaray, and Jaco (2014) and Kleinpell (2017) defined sepsis screening tools with complete sepsis protocols and identified studies in which nurses are authorized to identify signs and symptoms, order necessary blood testing, and initiate protocols. Additionally, Kleinpell (2017) identified studies in which nurses completed “Sepsis Power Hour” in which blood cultures, lactate, and fluid boluses were independently initiated by the nurse. All articles were chosen because they appeared to have a strong hierarchy of evidence. For example, Lopez-Bushneil, Demaray, and Jaco (2014) report testing evidence to show a change in practice due to the exceeded goals and successful treatment of