Title: Goal-Directed Therapy for Children With Suspected Sepsis<br/>Author: Rose Chasm<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/82/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><ul>
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Much attention has been paid towards early goal-directed therapy for sepsis in adult ED patients, but there has not been as much consideration for the pediatric ED patient. </li>
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R-C analyses and M&M reviews have consistently identified system difficulties recognizing sepsis in children, especially cases of compensated shock, and subsequent management.</li>
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Protocols beginning in triage to recognize abnormal vital signs, followed by timely execution of interventions especially antibiotic and fluid administration are worthwhile to reduce overall morbidity and mortality.</li>
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Protocols should include 3 major goals:</li>
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Triage vital signs adjusted for age, and corrected heart rate for pyrexia to recognize sepsis.</li>
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Obtain vascular access within 5 minutes followed by a 20mL/kg bolus of IV fluids administered within 15 minutes in cases of volume depletion.</li>
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Antibiotic administration within 30 minutes.</li>
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<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Cruz AT, Perry AM, Williams EA, et al. Implementaion of Goal-Directed Therapy for Children With Suspected Sepsis in the Emergency Department. Pediatrics 2011;127;e758.</p>
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