The mortality from septic shock and severe sepsis ranges between 10-12%.
The PALS algorithm includes 5 points in management. The first two points are optimally reached within one hour: 1) Recognition of sepsis and vascular access 2) 20ml/kg IVF X 3 within 1 hour or 60ml/kg IVFs within 15 minutes and antibiotic administration 3) Determine if fluid responsive
4) ICU monitoring and/or
5) Vasoactive medications
A recent study at a tertiary care children's hospital retrospectively reviewed 126 patients diagnosed with sepsis. Their findings:
- 37% received 60ml/kg in 60 minutes - 11% received 60ml/kg in 15 minutes - 70% received antibiotics in 60 minutes - In 49% of cases fluids were delivered via IV infusion pump versus manual or pressure bag - There was a 57% shorter overall hospital stay and 42% shorter ICU stay in patients that received 60ml/kg IVFs within 60 minutes.
- Similarly adherence to the algorithm resulted in decrease hospital stay. - Liver enzymes, coagulation profiles, and lactic acid levels were obtained in "few" patients.
Conclusions: Suboptimal fluid resuscitation in sepsis is linked to longer hospital stays. Knowledge of PALS guideline and faster administration of fluid were thought to have been causes of poor adherence.
Additionally, parameters measured in sepsis including lactic acid, coagulation studies, and liver enzymes were not routinely collected. The authors concluded this came from a lack of knowledge of their utility in sepsis.
References: Paul R, et al. "Adherence to PALS Sepsis Guidelines and Hospital Length of Stay." Pediatrics: 2012 Jul 2 [epub adhead of print].
