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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Review

Initial Emergency Department Diagnosis and Management of Adult Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Authors: Sarah M Perman, Munish Goyal, David F Gaieski

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Severe sepsis is a medical emergency affecting up to 18 million individuals world wide, with an annual incidence of 750,000 in North America alone. Mortality ranges between 28-50% of those individuals stricken by severe sepsis. Sepsis is a time critical illness, requiring early identification and prompt intervention in order to improve outcomes. This observation has led to increased awareness and education in the field of Emergency Medicine; it has also led to the implementation of critical interventions early in the course of patient management, specifically Early-Goal Directed Therapy, and rapid administration of appropriate antimicrobials. This review begins with a brief summary of the pathophysiology of sepsis, and then addresses the fundamental clinical aspects of ED identification and resuscitation of the septic patient.
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Metadata
Title
Initial Emergency Department Diagnosis and Management of Adult Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors
Sarah M Perman
Munish Goyal
David F Gaieski
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-20-41

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