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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Early identification of sepsis in hospital inpatients by ward nurses increases 30-day survival

Authors: Malvin Torsvik, Lise Tuset Gustad, Arne Mehl, Inger Lise Bangstad, Liv Jorun Vinje, Jan Kristian Damås, Erik Solligård

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis are now frequently identified by observations of vital signs and detection of organ failure during triage in the emergency room. However, there is less focus on the effect on patient outcome with better observation and treatment at the ward level.

Methods

This was a before-and-after intervention study in one emergency and community hospital within the Mid-Norway Sepsis Study catchment area. All patients with confirmed bloodstream infection have been prospectively registered continuously since 1994. Severity of sepsis, observation frequency of vital signs, treatment data, length of stay (LOS) in high dependency and intensive care units, and mortality were retrospectively registered from the patients’ medical journals.

Results

The post-intervention group (n = 409) were observed better and had higher odds of surviving 30 days (OR 2.7, 95 % CI 1.6, 4.6), lower probability of developing severe organ failure (0.7, 95 % CI 0.4, 0.9), and on average, 3.7 days (95 % CI 1.5, 5.9 days) shorter LOS than the pre-intervention group (n = 472).

Conclusions

In a cohort with stable mortality rates, early sepsis recognition by ward nurses may have reduced progression of disease and improved survival for patients in hospital with sepsis.
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Metadata
Title
Early identification of sepsis in hospital inpatients by ward nurses increases 30-day survival
Authors
Malvin Torsvik
Lise Tuset Gustad
Arne Mehl
Inger Lise Bangstad
Liv Jorun Vinje
Jan Kristian Damås
Erik Solligård
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-016-1423-1

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