The Protective Effects Of Statins On Clinical Outcomes Among Bacteremic Patients

Proper collection of blood cultures are necessary and the most direct method of determining whether or not a patient is septic. The purpose of obtaining blood cultures is to identify and isolate the bacteria that are causing an illness and then determine the best course of treatment based on the sensitivity of the bacteria to particular antibiotics. One of the most frustrating problems plaguing hospitals is the increased rate at which blood culture results are being returned as contaminated specimens. These results can lead to a significant increase in cost to the hospital and patient as well as an increased length in hospital

Sepsis is a substantial health care condition. Jones et al. (2016) describes sepsis as the “11th leading cause of death in the United States ranking 10th in people 65 years of age and older” (p. 122). This impact of mortality from sepsis is devastating to many families in the United States. Facing the health care system also is the cost of septicemia. Septicemia was the most costly and most common reason for hospitalization, as reported by Jones et al (2016) “accounting for 1,094,000 hospital stays and $20.3 billion in aggregated hospital costs, the average cost for an admission for sepsis at $18,600” (p. 122).

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

Mr. P. M., a 76-year-old, Caucasian male with a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile colitis. He had a history of various medical conditions, including insulin dependent diabetes mellitus type two, hypertension, nonocclusive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right upper extremity, recurrent Clostridium difficile, chronic kidney disease stage two, morbid obesity, diabetic neuropathy, and osteomyelitis. The patient has had numerous back surgeries and had growth of MRSA. He was placed on Vancomycin for several weeks and started having antibiotic-associated diarrhea for a prolonged period of time. Since the patient had a recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, doctor arranged for the patient to have a fecal microbiota transplant. As a cost-effective

Inclusion Criteria: Hospitalized patients ≥ 65 years old, receiving 1 or more antibiotics (within past 7 days) were recruited.

Broad spectrum antibiotics and antifungals should be exectuted within 4 hours of patient’s arrival to hospital with signs of sepsis per Early Goal Directed Therapy protocol. The use of vancomycin, amoxicillin/ clavulanate or a cephalosporin such as ceftriaxone as broad spectrum antibiotic drugs. A change in medications is necessary once the bacterium determination is made. Side effects of these drugs include ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity and intestinal bleeding. The nurse must assess for signs of anaphylaxis as these drugs carry high

Although a vaccine does exist, its cost and multiple doses needed to achieve immunity have limited its acceptability by the medical community [20, 21]. Antimicrobial therapy has been at the forefront of research in trying to identify if prophylactic treatment is necessary, what drug is most successful, and what dosing is most appropriate.

Kleinpell states, “Septic shock is the result of an overwhelming infection, leading to hypotension, altered coagulation, inflammation, impaired circulation at a cellular level, anaerobic metabolism, changes in mental status and multiple organ failure (as sited in Garretson & Malberti, Ignatavicius and Workman (2009), “sepsis is a widespread infection coupled with a more general criteria: body temperature higher than 380C or lower than 360C, heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute, respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minutes, and WBC count greater than 12,000/mm or lower than 4,000/mm or with more than 10% bands (Spaniol, Knight, Zebley, Anderson, Pierce, 2007). Endotoxins from gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, can precipitate the common progression of events leading to septic shock. A patient experiencing SIRS is at risk for organ failure (severe sepsis), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death. This paper will outline the details surrounding this condition, from a nursing standpoint.

According to the authors, Bernstein & Lynn (2013), “A common and devastating condition, sepsis has significant healthcare implication worldwide.” The authors elaborate on the different types of sepsis and the complications that arise from them along with the pathophysiology and risk factors. Bernstein and Lynn emphasized the importance of a proper nursing assessments, recognition of septic progression and nursing interventions.

While Shapiro et al. was not able to recommend antimicrobial prophylaxis with amoxicillin Nadelman et al. devised

Sepsis is a common condition in critically ill patients. Cases of sepsis rose by an average of 9% per year (Nasa P, 2012) and the number elderly patients being admitted to ICU’s has increased recently. One of the reasons for this trend is that people are living longer. The world’s population of people over the age of sixty has been increasing steadily. It has been projected that over the next twenty years the number of people over the age of eighty will be double and that by the year 2050 the population of elderly people will be greater than that of young people for the first time in history (World Population Ageing 1950-2050, 2001). In the elderly person, sepsis is a major cause hospitalization and ultimately death. The risk factors, susceptibility, and management are determinates in the outcome for the elderly patient.

Frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor. (p. 26)

In this article, the National Patient Safety Goal 07.01.01 addresses the reduction of hospital-acquired infections (Joint Commission, 2008). The Joint Commission (2008), the World Health Organization (WHO, 2009), the CDC (2006), and the Society for Healthcare

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication caused by the body’s response to an infection. Our immune system protects us against threats, which include viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infectious diseases. Our immune system responds by triggering an inflammatory response to bacteria in the blood. However, with sepsis the response is massive and the inflammation that occurs can cause a ripple effect of changes that may lead to damage of multiple organ systems, causing them to fail. “If sepsis progresses to septic shock, blood pressure will drop dramatically which, could possibly lead to death” (Carreno, 2016). Anyone can develop sepsis, but it 's most common and most dangerous in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is very important for healthcare providers to be cognizant of the risk factors that can lead to infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis, usually with antibiotics and large amounts of intravenous fluids, can vastly improve a patient’s chance for survival.

The use of the healthcare system as a whole is largely determined by the cost incurred by the patient, as well as insurance companies within the healthcare system. As for combating the growth of antibiotic resistance, it might be beneficial to increase the cost of antibiotics so that they are used only when clinically appropriate. This, however, would lead to a decrease in access to patients who might actually need these forms of treatment and who are unable to afford them. Additionally, increasing the cost of treatment options may cause there to be a delay or abandonment of therapy. While neither of these options may be ideal to patients, and even the healthcare system as a whole, the consideration of their use may aid in lowering the prevalence of antibiotic resistance.