IDSA Sepsis Task Force. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) POSITION STATEMENT: Why IDSA Did Not Endorse the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines

Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2022

Purpose: To provide summarization of the most significant infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy articles published in peer-reviewed literature in 2022. Summary: Members of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) nominated notable articles providing significant contributions to ID pharmacotherapy in 2022. Article nominations included those pertaining to general ID, as well as those including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pharmacotherapy. A total of 71 articles were nominated by HIDN. Members: 68 articles pertaining to general ID pharmacotherapy and 3 articles focusing on HIV/AIDS. To aid selection of the most these most notable articles of 2022, a survey was created and distributed to members of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP). Of the 153 SIDP members who participated in the survey, there were 128 recorded votes for the top 10 general ID pharmacotherapy articles and 30 votes recorded for the top HIV/AIDS article. The most notable publications are summarized. Conclusion: Post pandemic significant advances in antimicrobial stewardship and infectious disease states continues to occur in a world recently focused on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Continuous growth in publication of ID-related articles over the past year lends towards the aims of this review to aid clinicians in remaining current on key practice-changing ID pharmacotherapy publications from 2022.

No improvement in mortality among critically ill patients with carbapenems as initial empirical therapy and more detection of multi-drug resistant pathogens associated with longer use: a post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study

Whether empirical therapy with carbapenems positively affects the outcomes of critically ill patients with bacterial infections remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of carbapenems as the initial antimicrobial administration reduces mortality and whether the duration of carbapenem use affects the detection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This was a post hoc analysis of data acquired from Japanese participating sites from a multicenter, prospective observational study [Determinants of Antimicrobial Use and De-escalation in Critical Care (DIANA study)]. A total of 268 adult patients with clinically suspected or confirmed bacterial infections from 31 Japanese intensive care units (ICUs) were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: patients who were administered carbapenems as initial antimicrobials (initial carbapenem group, n = 99) and those who were not administered carbapenems (initial non-carbapenem group, n = 169). The primary outcomes were mortality at day 28 and detection of MDR pathogens. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mortality at day 28 did not differ between the two groups [18 (18%) vs 27 (16%), respectively; odds ratio: 1.25 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-2.65), P = 0.564]. The subdistribution hazard ratio for detecting MDR pathogens on day 28 per additional day of carbapenem use is 1.08 (95% CI: 1.05-1.13, P < 0.001 using the Fine-Gray model with death regarded as a competing event). In conclusion, in-hospital mortality was similar between the groups, and a longer duration of carbapenem use as the initial antimicrobial therapy resulted in a higher risk of detection of new MDR pathogens.IMPORTANCEWe found no statistical difference in mortality with the empirical use of carbapenems as initial antimicrobial therapy among critically ill patients with bacterial infections. Our study revealed a lower proportion of inappropriate initial antimicrobial administrations than those reported in previous studies. This result suggests the importance of appropriate risk assessment for the involvement of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and the selection of suitable antibiotics based on risk. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that a longer duration of carbapenem use as initial therapy is associated with a higher risk of subsequent detection of MDR pathogens. This finding underscores the importance of efforts to minimize the duration of carbapenem use as initial antimicrobial therapy when it is necessary.

Delays to Antibiotics in the Emergency Department and Risk of Mortality in Children With Sepsis

Importance

Pediatric consensus guidelines recommend antibiotic administration within 1 hour for septic shock and within 3 hours for sepsis without shock. Limited studies exist identifying a specific time past which delays in antibiotic administration are associated with worse outcomes.

Objective

To determine a time point for antibiotic administration that is associated with increased risk of mortality among pediatric patients with sepsis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from 51 US children's hospitals in the Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes collaborative. Participants included patients aged 29 days to less than 18 years with sepsis recognized within 1 hour of emergency department arrival, from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021. Piecewise regression was used to identify the inflection point for sepsis-attributable 3-day mortality, and logistic regression was used to evaluate odds of sepsis-attributable mortality after adjustment for potential confounders. Data analysis was performed from March 2022 to February 2024.

Exposure

The number of minutes from emergency department arrival to antibiotic administration.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was sepsis-attributable 3-day mortality. Sepsis-attributable 30-day mortality was a secondary outcome.

Results

A total of 19 515 cases (median [IQR] age, 6 [2-12] years) were included. The median (IQR) time to antibiotic administration was 69 (47-116) minutes. The estimated time to antibiotic administration at which 3-day sepsis-attributable mortality increased was 330 minutes. Patients who received an antibiotic in less than 330 minutes (19 164 patients) had sepsis-attributable 3-day mortality of 0.5% (93 patients) and 30-day mortality of 0.9% (163 patients). Patients who received antibiotics at 330 minutes or later (351 patients) had 3-day sepsis-attributable mortality of 1.2% (4 patients), 30-day mortality of 2.0% (7 patients), and increased adjusted odds of mortality at both 3 days (odds ratio, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.20-9.93; P = .02) and 30 days (odds ratio, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.59-8.30; P = .002) compared with those who received antibiotics within 330 minutes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort of pediatric patients with sepsis, 3-day and 30-day sepsis-attributable mortality increased with delays in antibiotic administration 330 minutes or longer from emergency department arrival. These findings are consistent with the literature demonstrating increased pediatric sepsis mortality associated with antibiotic administration delay. To guide the balance of appropriate resource allocation with time for adequate diagnostic evaluation, further research is needed into whether there are subpopulations, such as those with shock or bacteremia, that may benefit from earlier antibiotics.

The chain of survival and rehabilitation for sepsis: concepts and proposals for healthcare trajectory optimization

This article describes the structures and processes involved in healthcare delivery for sepsis, from the prehospital setting until rehabilitation. Quality improvement initiatives in sepsis may reduce both morbidity and mortality. Positive outcomes are more likely when the following steps are optimized: early recognition, severity assessment, prehospital emergency medical system activation when available, early therapy (antimicrobials and hemodynamic optimization), early orientation to an adequate facility (emergency room, operating theater or intensive care unit), in-hospital organ failure resuscitation associated with source control, and finally a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Such a trajectory of care dedicated to sepsis amounts to a chain of survival and rehabilitation for sepsis. Implementation of this chain of survival and rehabilitation for sepsis requires full interconnection between each link. To date, despite regular international recommendations updates, the adherence to sepsis guidelines remains low leading to a considerable burden of the disease. Developing and optimizing such an integrated network could significantly reduce sepsis related mortality and morbidity.

Multidrug-Resistant Sepsis: A Critical Healthcare Challenge

Sepsis globally accounts for an alarming annual toll of 48.9 million cases, resulting in 11 million deaths, and inflicts an economic burden of approximately USD 38 billion on the United States healthcare system. The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) has elevated the urgency surrounding the management of multidrug-resistant (MDR) sepsis, evolving into a critical global health concern. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current epidemiology of (MDR) sepsis and its associated healthcare challenges, particularly in critically ill hospitalized patients. Highlighted findings demonstrated the complex nature of (MDR) sepsis pathophysiology and the resulting immune responses, which significantly hinder sepsis treatment. Studies also revealed that aging, antibiotic overuse or abuse, inadequate empiric antibiotic therapy, and underlying comorbidities contribute significantly to recurrent sepsis, thereby leading to septic shock, multi-organ failure, and ultimately immune paralysis, which all contribute to high mortality rates among sepsis patients. Moreover, studies confirmed a correlation between elevated readmission rates and an increased risk of cognitive and organ dysfunction among sepsis patients, amplifying hospital-associated costs. To mitigate the impact of sepsis burden, researchers have directed their efforts towards innovative diagnostic methods like point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for rapid, accurate, and particularly bedside detection of sepsis; however, these methods are currently limited to detecting only a few resistance biomarkers, thus warranting further exploration. Numerous interventions have also been introduced to treat MDR sepsis, including combination therapy with antibiotics from two different classes and precision therapy, which involves personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. Finally, addressing MDR-associated healthcare challenges at regional levels based on local pathogen resistance patterns emerges as a critical strategy for effective sepsis treatment and minimizing adverse effects.

Potential of Flavonoids as Promising Phytotherapeutic Agents to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Infections

BACKGROUND

Considering the limited number of current effective treatments, Multidrug- Resistant (MDR) illnesses have grown to be a serious concern to public health. It has become necessary to look for new antimicrobial drugs because of the emergence of resistance to numerous kinds of antibiotics. The use of flavonoids is one phytotherapeutic strategy that has been researched as a potential remedy for this issue. Secondary plant compounds called flavonoids have been found to have an antibacterial effect against resistant microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE

This review seeks to give readers a glimpse into contemporary studies on flavonoids' potential to fight MDR infections.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords such as flavonoids, MDR infections, antimicrobial activity, and resistance microbes. Studies that investigated the antimicrobial activity of flavonoids against resistant microbes were included in this review.

RESULTS

Most research found that flavonoids have antibacterial efficacy against resistant microorganisms, and some also showed that they have synergistic benefits with traditional antibiotics. The flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and luteolin were the most often investigated ones. According to research, flavonoids affect microbial gene expression, inhibit microbial enzymes, and disrupt the integrity of microbial cell membranes. Additionally, a few studies have noted the flavonoids' low toxicity and safety.

CONCLUSION

For the treatment of infections that are resistant to many drugs, flavonoids constitute a promising class of phytotherapeutic agents. To develop flavonoid-based treatment methods for treating MDR illnesses and assess the potential of flavonoids as adjuvants to conventional antimicrobial drugs, more study is required.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Sepsis-Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Its Impact on Worsening Prognosis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) poses a high mortality risk, yet its exact impact remains contentious. This study investigates DIC's association with mortality in individuals with sepsis, emphasizing multiple organ function. Using data from the Peking University People's Hospital Investigation on Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy database, we categorized patients into DIC and non-DIC groups based on DIC scores within 24 h of ICU admission (< 5 cutoff). ICU mortality was the main outcome. Initial data comparison preceded logistic regression analysis of mortality factors post-propensity score matching (PSM). Employing mediation analysis estimated direct and indirect associations. Of 549 participants, 131 were in the DIC group, with the remaining 418 in the non-DIC group. Following baseline characteristic presentation, PSM was conducted, revealing significantly higher nonplatelet sequential organ failure assessment (nonplt-SOFA) scores (6.3 ± 2.7 vs 5.0 ± 2.5, P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality rates (47.3% vs 29.5%, P = 0.003) in the DIC group. A significant correlation between DIC and in-hospital mortality persisted (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.29-3.59, P = 0.003), with nonplt-SOFA scores (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28, P = 0.004) and hemorrhage (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.08-5.03, P = 0.032) as predictors. The overall effect size was 0.1786 (95% CI 0.0542-0.2886), comprising a direct effect size of 0.1423 (95% CI 0.0153-0.2551) and an indirect effect size of 0.0363 (95% CI 0.0034-0.0739), with approximately 20.3% of effects mediated. These findings underscore DIC's association with increased mortality risk in patients with sepsis, urging anticoagulation focus over bleeding management, with organ dysfunction assessment recommended for anticoagulant treatment efficacy.

[Guideline-conform treatment of sepsis]

The time to administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and (secondarily) to the initiation of hemodynamic stabilization are the most important factors influencing survival of patients with sepsis and septic shock; however, the basic prerequisite for the initiation of an adequate treatment is that a suspected diagnosis of sepsis is made first. Therefore, the treatment of sepsis, even before it has begun, is an interdisciplinary and interprofessional task. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in sepsis treatment and points towards new evidence that has the potential to change guideline recommendations in the coming years. In summary, the following points are critical: (1) sepsis must be diagnosed as soon as possible and the implementation of a source control intervention (in case of a controllable source) has to be implemented as soon as (logistically) possible. (2) In general, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given within the first hour after diagnosis if sepsis or septic shock is suspected. In organ dysfunction without shock, where sepsis is a possible but unlikely cause, the results of focused advanced diagnostics should be awaited before a decision to give broad-spectrum antibiotics is made. If it is not clear within 3 h whether sepsis is the cause, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given when in doubt. Administer beta-lactam antibiotics as a prolonged (or if therapeutic drug monitoring is available, continuous) infusion after an initial loading dose. (3) Combination treatment with two agents for one pathogen group should remain the exception (e.g. multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens). (4) In the case of doubt, the duration of anti-infective treatment should rather be shorter than longer. Procalcitonin can support the clinical decision to stop (not to start!) antibiotic treatment! (5) For fluid treatment, if hypoperfusion is present, the first (approximately) 2L (30 ml/kg BW) of crystalloid solution is usually safe and indicated. After that, the rule is: less is more! Any further fluid administration should be carefully weighed up with the help of dynamic parameters, the patient's clinical condition and echo(cardio)graphy.

Risk of Misleading Conclusions in Observational Studies of Time-to-Antibiotics and Mortality in Suspected Sepsis

BACKGROUND

Influential studies conclude that each hour until antibiotics increases mortality in sepsis. However, these analyses often (1) adjusted for limited covariates, (2) included patients with long delays until antibiotics, (3) combined sepsis and septic shock, and (4) used linear models presuming each hour delay has equal impact. We evaluated the effect of these analytic choices on associations between time-to-antibiotics and mortality.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 104 248 adults admitted to 5 hospitals from 2015-2022 with suspected infection (blood culture collection and intravenous antibiotics ≤24 h of arrival), including 25 990 with suspected septic shock and 23 619 with sepsis without shock. We used multivariable regression to calculate associations between time-to-antibiotics and in-hospital mortality under successively broader confounding-adjustment, shorter maximum time-to-antibiotic intervals, stratification by illness severity, and removing assumptions of linear hourly associations.

RESULTS

Changing covariates, maximum time-to-antibiotics, and severity stratification altered the magnitude, direction, and significance of observed associations between time-to-antibiotics and mortality. In a fully adjusted model of patients treated ≤6 hours, each hour was associated with higher mortality for septic shock (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04-1.11) but not sepsis without shock (aOR: 1.03; .98-1.09) or suspected infection alone (aOR: .99; .94-1.05). Modeling each hour separately confirmed that every hour of delay was associated with increased mortality for septic shock, but only delays >6 hours were associated with higher mortality for sepsis without shock.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between time-to-antibiotics and mortality in sepsis are highly sensitive to analytic choices. Failure to adequately address these issues can generate misleading conclusions.

Clinical decision support tools for paediatric sepsis in resource-poor settings: an international qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

New paediatric sepsis criteria are being developed by an international task force. However, it remains unknown what type of clinical decision support (CDS) tools will be most useful for dissemination of those criteria in resource-poor settings. We sought to design effective CDS tools by identifying the paediatric sepsis-related decisional needs of multidisciplinary clinicians and health system administrators in resource-poor settings.

DESIGN

Semistructured qualitative focus groups and interviews with 35 clinicians (8 nurses, 27 physicians) and 5 administrators at health systems that regularly provide care for children with sepsis, April-May 2022.

SETTING

Health systems in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where sepsis has a large impact on child health and healthcare resources may be limited.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants had a mean age of 45 years, a mean of 15 years of experience, and were 45% female.

RESULTS

Emergent themes were related to the decisional needs of clinicians caring for children with sepsis and to the needs of health system administrators as they make decisions about which CDS tools to implement. Themes included variation across regions and institutions in infectious aetiologies of sepsis and available clinical resources, the need for CDS tools to be flexible and customisable in order for implementation to be successful, and proposed features and format of an ideal paediatric sepsis CDS tool.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this study will directly contribute to the design and implementation of CDS tools to increase the uptake and impact of the new paediatric sepsis criteria in resource-poor settings.

Impact of 1-hour and 3-hour sepsis time bundles on antibiotic use in emergency departments in Queensland, Australia: a before-and-after cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the introduction of an emergency department (ED) sepsis screening tool and management bundle affects antibiotic prescribing and use.

DESIGN

Multicentre, cohort, before-and-after study design.

SETTING

Three tertiary hospitals in Queensland, Australia (median bed size 543, range 520-742).

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients, presenting to the ED with symptoms and signs suggestive of sepsis who had blood cultures collected. These participants were further assessed and stratified as having septic shock, sepsis or infection alone, using Sepsis-3 definitions. The study dates were 1 July 2017-31 March 2020.

INTERVENTION

The breakthrough series collaborative 'Could this be Sepsis?' Programme, aimed at embedding a sepsis screening tool and treatment bundle with weighted-incidence syndromic combined antibiogram-derived antibiotic guidelines in EDs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the rate of empirical prescriptions adherent to antibiotic guidelines during the ED encounter. Secondary outcomes included the empirical prescriptions considered appropriate, effective antibiotics administered within 3 hours and assessment of harm measures.

RESULTS

Of 2591 eligible patients, 721 were randomly selected: 241 in the baseline phase and 480 in the post-intervention phase. The rates of guideline adherence were 54.0% and 59.5%, respectively (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.41 (95% CI 1.00, 1.98)). As compared with baseline, there was an increase in the rates of appropriate antibiotic prescription after bundle implementation (69.9% vs 57.1%, aOR 1.92 (95% CI 1.37, 2.68)). There were no differences between the baseline and post-intervention groups with respect to time to effective antibiotics, adverse effects or ED rates of broad-spectrum antibiotic use.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

The use of an ED sepsis screening tool and management bundle was associated with an improvement in the rates of appropriate antibiotic prescription without evidence of adverse effects.

A Narrative Literature Review on Sepsis: A Primary Manifestation of Colorectal Neoplasm

Sepsis and colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibit a complex relationship that warrants further exploration. This review delves into the interplay of factors between sepsis and CRC, uncovering shared pathophysiological traits and potential bacterial associations. Understanding these connections could pave the way for earlier diagnosis, improved management, and enhanced outcomes in CRC patients. The role of immune system dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, and specific microbial imbalances, such as Streptococcus bovis and Clostridium septicum, are discussed. Recognizing sepsis in CRC patients is crucial for timely intervention, and tailored approaches encompassing antibiotic therapy, source control measures, and cancer treatment are essential for comprehensive care. Monitoring biomarkers and ratios can provide valuable insights into complications and overall health outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists is necessary to address the global burden of CRC and its association with sepsis while exploring novel interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and personalized care. We conducted a thorough search using reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to investigate the connection between sepsis and CRC. We refined our search terms, utilized sidebar filters, and examined references in selected articles. This meticulous process helped us create a comprehensive literature review and gain valuable insights into this relationship.

Direct-from-Blood Detection of Pathogens: a Review of Technology and Challenges

Blood cultures have been the staple of clinical microbiology laboratories for well over half a century, but gaps remain in our ability to identify the causative agent in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis. Molecular technologies have revolutionized the clinical microbiology laboratory in many areas but have yet to present a viable alternative to blood cultures. There has been a recent surge of interest in utilizing novel approaches to address this challenge. In this minireview, I discuss whether molecular tools will finally give us the answers we need and the practical challenges of incorporating them into the diagnostic algorithm.

Early Antibiotics in Septic Shock: A Desirable Goal but "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

How to cite this article: Hegde A. Early Antibiotics in Septic Shock: A Desirable Goal but "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):459-460.

Costs and Consequences of a Novel Emergency Department Sepsis Diagnostic Test: The IntelliSep Index

Sepsis causes 270,000 deaths and costs $38 billion annually in the United States. Most cases of sepsis present in the emergency department (ED), where rapid diagnosis remains challenging. The IntelliSep Index (ISI) is a novel diagnostic test that analyzes characteristics of WBC structure and provides a reliable early signal for sepsis. This study performs a cost-consequence analysis of the ISI relative to procalcitonin for early sepsis diagnosis in the ED.

PERSPECTIVE

U.S. healthcare system.

SETTING

Community hospital ED.

METHODS

A decision tree analysis was performed comparing ISI with procalcitonin. Model parameters included prevalence of sepsis, sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests (both ISI and procalcitonin), costs of hospitalization, and mortality rate stratified by diagnostic test result. Mortality and prevalence of sepsis were estimated from best available literature. Costs were estimated based on an analysis of a large, national discharge dataset, and adjusted to 2018 U.S. dollars. Outcomes included expected costs and survival.

RESULTS

Assuming a confirmed sepsis prevalence of 16.9% (adjudicated to Sepsis-3), the ISI strategy had an expected cost per patient of $3,849 and expected survival rate of 95.08%, whereas the procalcitonin strategy had an expected cost of $4,656 per patient and an expected survival of 94.98%. ISI was both less costly and more effective than procalcitonin, primarily because of fewer false-negative results. These results were robust in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

ISI was both less costly and more effective in preventing mortality than procalcitonin, primarily because of fewer false-negative results. The ISI may provide health systems with a higher-value diagnostic test in ED sepsis evaluation. Additional work is needed to validate these results in clinical practice.

A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital

Objectives

We carried out this work with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of a set of interventions over time for the administration of antibiotics.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Patients admitted to the emergency room and ICU of the hospital where the study was conducted are evaluated daily for some sociodemographic and clinical variables. Among them are some quality indicators, such as the time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock until the start of the infusion of antibiotics. This indicator reflects several aspects related to a set of assistance measures (adequacy of antibiotic dispensation, rapid response team (RRT), sepsis care quality improvement program, antimicrobial management program, improvements in emergency department assistance).

Patients or participants

Patients with sepsis or septic shock were admitted to the ICU of a university and public hospital in southern Brazil.

Main variables of interest

The time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock and the beginning of the infusion of antibiotics.

Results

Between 2013 and 2018, 1676 patients were evaluated. The mean time for antibiotic infusion decreased from 6.1 ± 8.6 hours to 1.7 ± 2.9 hours (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients who received antibiotics in the first hour increased from 20.7 to 59.0% (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that a set of actions adopted in a large tertiary hospital was associated with decreased time to start antibiotic therapy in septic patients.

How to cite this article

Moraes RB, Haas JS, Vidart J, Nicolaidis R, Deutschendorf C, Moretti MMS, et al. A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):465-469.

Concordance Between Initial Presumptive and Final Adjudicated Diagnoses of Infection Among Patients Meeting Sepsis-3 Criteria in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Guidelines emphasize rapid antibiotic treatment for sepsis, but infection presence is often uncertain at initial presentation. We investigated the incidence and drivers of false-positive presumptive infection diagnosis among emergency department (ED) patients meeting Sepsis-3 criteria.

METHODS

For a retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized after meeting Sepsis-3 criteria (acute organ failure and suspected infection including blood cultures drawn and intravenous antimicrobials administered) in 1 of 4 EDs from 2013 to 2017, trained reviewers first identified the ED-diagnosed source of infection and adjudicated the presence and source of infection on final assessment. Reviewers subsequently adjudicated final infection probability for a randomly selected 10% subset of subjects. Risk factors for false-positive infection diagnosis and its association with 30-day mortality were evaluated using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Of 8267 patients meeting Sepsis-3 criteria in the ED, 699 (8.5%) did not have an infection on final adjudication and 1488 (18.0%) patients with confirmed infections had a different source of infection diagnosed in the ED versus final adjudication (ie, initial/final source diagnosis discordance). Among the subset of patients whose final infection probability was adjudicated (n = 812), 79 (9.7%) had only "possible" infection and 77 (9.5%) were not infected. Factors associated with false-positive infection diagnosis included hypothermia, altered mental status, comorbidity burden, and an "unknown infection source" diagnosis in the ED (odds ratio: 6.39; 95% confidence interval: 5.14-7.94). False-positive infection diagnosis was not associated with 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large multihospital study, <20% of ED patients meeting Sepsis-3 criteria had no infection or only possible infection on retrospective adjudication.

Estimating treatment effects for time-to-treatment antibiotic stewardship in sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition with a high in-hospital mortality rate. The timing of antibiotic administration poses a critical problem for sepsis management. Existing work studying antibiotic timing either ignores the temporality of the observational data or the heterogeneity of the treatment effects. Here we propose a novel method (called T4) to estimate treatment effects for time-to-treatment antibiotic stewardship in sepsis. T4 estimates individual treatment effects by recurrently encoding temporal and static variables as potential confounders, and then decoding the outcomes under different treatment sequences. We propose mini-batch balancing matching that mimics the randomized controlled trial process to adjust the confounding. The model achieves interpretability through a global-level attention mechanism and a variable-level importance examination. Meanwhile, we equip T4 with an uncertainty quantification to help prevent overconfident recommendations. We demonstrate that T4 can identify effective treatment timing with estimated individual treatment effects for antibiotic stewardship on two real-world datasets. Moreover, comprehensive experiments on a synthetic dataset exhibit the outstanding performance of T4 compared with the state-of-the-art models on estimation of individual treatment effect.

Modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score for predicting mortality in emergency department patients with sepsis

OBJECTIVE

Several scoring systems have been proposed for EDs to identify patients at increased risk of mortality from sepsis. The modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (mSOFA) score, proposed in 2019, demonstrated a high negative predictive value. We aimed to validate mSOFA and compare its accuracy for predicting 30-day mortality to the simple bedside score, quick SOFA (qSOFA).

METHODS

Over 1 month in 2018, consecutive patients with suspected sepsis were prospectively identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted to calculate both the mSOFA and qSOFA scores for these patients. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 252 patients with suspected sepsis identified over the study period. Thirty-day mortality was 13/39 (33.3%) for those with a positive mSOFA and 15/211 (7.1%) for those with a negative mSOFA score. Sensitivity was 46.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27.5-66.1%), specificity 88.3% (95% CI 83.3-92.2%), positive likelihood ratio 3.96 (95% CI 2.32-6.78), negative likelihood ratio 0.61 (95% CI 0.43-0.86). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.74 (95% CI 0.64-0.85). qSOFA sensitivity was 39.3% (95% CI 21.5-59.4%), specificity 91.9% (95% CI 87.5-95.1%), positive likelihood ratio 4.85 (95% CI 2.56-9.18) and negative likelihood ratio 0.66 (95% CI 0.49-0.89). The AUC for qSOFA was 0.81 (95% CI 0.73-0.88). The difference in the AUC was -0.07 (95% CI -0.18 to 0.05), P = 0.25.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, neither mSOFA nor qSOFA was adequately sensitive for predicting 30-day mortality, although both scores were highly specific and their overall accuracy was similar. The added complexity of the mSOFA without a significant increase in discriminative ability makes it unlikely to replace qSOFA in the ED setting.

Enhanced bacterial clearance in early secondary sepsis in a porcine intensive care model

Early secondary sepsis (ESS), occurring after recent inflammatory activation is associated with a reduced inflammatory response. If this attenuation also is associated with decreased bacterial killing, the need for antibiotic efficacy might be greater than in primary sepsis (PS). This prospective, randomised interventional study compares bacterial killing in ESS and PS in a large animal intensive care sepsis model. 38 pigs were intravenously administered live Escherichia coli for 3 h. Before baseline ESS was pre-exposed to endotoxin 24 h, whereas PS was not. Bacterial growth was measured in organs immediately post-mortem, repeatedly during 6 h in blood in vivo and for blood intrinsic bactericidal capacity ex vivo. Splenic growth was lower in ESS animals, than in PS animals (3.31 ± 0.12, vs. 3.84 ± 0.14 log10 CFU/mL, mean ± SEM) (p < 0.01) with a similar trend in hepatic growth (p = NS). Blood bacterial count at 2 h correlated with splenic bacterial count in ESS (ESS: r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and to blood killing capacity in PS (PS: r = 0.69, p < 0.001). Attenuated inflammation in ESS is associated with enhanced antibacterial capacities in the spleen. In ESS blood bacterial count is related to splenic killing and in PS to blood bactericidal capacity. The results suggest no increased need for synergistic antibiotic combinations in ESS.

Systematic Review on the Effects of Prompt Antibiotic Treatment on Survival in Septic Shock and Sepsis Patients in Different Hospital Settings

This study aims to determine the impact of prompt administration of antibiotics in evaluating the prognosis of patients with septic shock or sepsis. On January 1, 2022, we searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases for English-language articles regarding when antibiotics should be administered to patients with septic shock or sepsis. These articles were required to be published between 2010 and 2021. The primary objective was sudden or expected death from any cause at a specified time. In the study, 154,330 patients from 35 sepsis trials were included. In 19 trials, the effectiveness of antibiotics administered to 20,062 patients was evaluated. Of those, 16,652 received the correct medications. In 24 studies, the length of time it took to administer antibiotics was associated with an increased mortality rate. In fourteen studies, the time limits associated with patient outcomes ranged from 1 to 125 minutes to three to six hours. In eight studies, there were hourly delays, and in two, the time it took to receive an antibiotic played a role. Separately analyzed, the outcomes for septic shock (12,756 patients in 11 trials) and sepsis (24,282 patients in six studies) were identical. Two-thirds of sepsis studies discovered a correlation between early antibiotic treatment and the patient's prognosis. However, antimicrobial timing metrics varied significantly between studies, and there were no clear time limits.

Timing and Spectrum of Antibiotic Treatment for Suspected Sepsis and Septic Shock: Why so Controversial?

Sepsis guidelines and mandates encourage increasingly aggressive time-to-antibiotic targets for broad-spectrum antimicrobials for suspected sepsis and septic shock. This has caused considerable controversy due to weaknesses in the underlying evidence and fear that overly strict antibiotic deadlines may harm patients by perpetuating or escalating overtreatment. Indeed, a third or more of patients currently treated for sepsis and septic shock have noninfectious or nonbacterial conditions. These patients risk all the potential harms of antibiotics without their possible benefits. Updated Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines now emphasize the importance of tailoring antibiotics to each patient's likelihood of infection, risk for drug-resistant pathogens, and severity-of-illness.

The role of the clinical pharmacist in antimicrobial stewardship in Asia: A review

Clinical pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been successfully implemented. Although relevant guidance and several studies suggest that clinical pharmacists be integrated into the current ASP team model, barriers still exist in Asia, primarily due to lack of dedicated personnel and lack of career advancement. We review the effectiveness and the ideal role of clinical pharmacist among ASPs in Asia. Several studies conducted in Asia have shown the effectiveness of pharmacist-led ASP interventions in hospitals and other healthcare settings. However, opportunities to expand the role of clinical pharmacists in ASPs in Asia exist in the implementation of rapid diagnostic test and drug allergies.

The Survival of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign

Even well-intentioned policies have great potential to cause harm. This statement is vividly illustrated by the influential, yet controversial, Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines and subsequent CMS benchmarks. Despite low-quality evidence, tendentious industry ties, and rebuke from the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), these benchmarks continue to eschew therapy driven by clinician expertise and individual patient needs in favor of mandating an arbitrary, one-size-fits-all approach that suspends clinical judgment and promotes indiscriminate use of treatments that have the potential to cause great harm.

Epidemiology, Management, and Outcomes of Sepsis in ICUs among Countries of Differing National Wealth across Asia

Rationale: Directly comparative data on sepsis epidemiology and sepsis bundle implementation in countries of differing national wealth remain sparse. Objectives: To evaluate across countries/regions of differing income status in Asia 1) the prevalence, causes, and outcomes of sepsis as a reason for ICU admission and 2) sepsis bundle (antibiotic administration, blood culture, and lactate measurement) compliance and its association with hospital mortality. Methods: A prospective point prevalence study was conducted among 386 adult ICUs from 22 Asian countries/regions. Adult ICU participants admitted for sepsis on four separate days (representing the seasons of 2019) were recruited. Measurements and Main Results: The overall prevalence of sepsis in ICUs was 22.4% (20.9%, 24.5%, and 21.3% in low-income countries/regions [LICs]/lower middle-income countries/regions [LMICs], upper middle-income countries/regions, and high-income countries/regions [HICs], respectively; P < 0.001). Patients were younger and had lower severity of illness in LICs/LMICs. Hospital mortality was 32.6% and marginally significantly higher in LICs/LMICs than HICs on multivariable generalized mixed model analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-3.37; P = 0.049). Sepsis bundle compliance was 21.5% at 1 hour (26.0%, 22.1%, and 16.2% in LICs/LMICs, upper middle-income countries/regions, and HICs, respectively; P < 0.001) and 36.6% at 3 hours (39.3%, 32.8%, and 38.5%, respectively; P = 0.001). Delaying antibiotic administration beyond 3 hours was the only element independently associated with increased mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 2.07-3.08; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Sepsis is a common cause of admission to Asian ICUs. Mortality remains high and is higher in LICs/LMICs after controlling for confounders. Sepsis bundle compliance remains low. Delaying antibiotic administration beyond 3 hours from diagnosis is associated with increased mortality. Clinical trial registered with www.ctri.nic.in (CTRI/2019/01/016898).

Prompt Identification of Sepsis on Hospital Floors: Are Healthcare Professionals Ready for the Implementation of the Hour-1 Bundle?

Early intervention in sepsis management with recognized therapeutic targets may be effective in lowering sepsis-related morbidity and mortality, although this necessitates timely identification of sepsis by healthcare professionals. The present study aimed to assess knowledge levels, attitudes, and agreement among physicians regarding the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines (more specifically, the Hour-1 bundle). A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working in different clinical settings in Karachi, Pakistan, using a self-administered questionnaire. The mean cumulative knowledge score of the respondents towards SSC was 6.8 ± 2.1 (out of 10), where a total of n = 127 respondents (51.62%) had a strong understanding of the SSC guidelines, compared to n = 78 (31.7%) and n = 41 (16.7%) respondents with fair and inadequate knowledge, respectively. The majorly known bundle elements by the respondents were to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics (89.8%, n = 221), the need for taking blood cultures before administering antibiotics (87.8%, n = 216), and measurement of blood lactate levels (75.6%, n = 186). Experienced physicians were more likely to use norepinephrine as the first-choice vasopressor (p < 0.001). Female respondents were more likely to consider the duration of antibiotic therapy to be determined according to the site of infection, the microbiological etiology, the patient’s response to treatment, and the likelihood of achieving adequate source control (p = 0.001). The current study concluded that respondents had an optimistic approach and frequently practice in accordance with the SSC guidelines, while some respondents were not up to date with the most recent guidelines. There is a need for further interventions and continuous medical education to encourage physicians towards appropriate use of the recommended guiding principles for improving treatment outcomes in sepsis patients.

The 2021 Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy (SWAB) guidelines for empirical antibacterial therapy of sepsis in adults

BACKGROUND

The Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy (SWAB) in collaboration with relevant professional societies, has updated their evidence-based guidelines on empiric antibacterial therapy of sepsis in adults.

METHODS

Our multidisciplinary guideline committee generated ten population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) questions relevant for adult patients with sepsis. For each question, a literature search was performed to obtain the best available evidence and assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The quality of evidence for clinically relevant outcomes was graded from high to very low. In structured consensus meetings, the committee formulated recommendations as strong or weak. When evidence could not be obtained, recommendations were provided based on expert opinion and experience (good practice statements).

RESULTS

Fifty-five recommendations on the antibacterial therapy of sepsis were generated. Recommendations on empiric antibacterial therapy choices were differentiated for sepsis according to the source of infection, the potential causative pathogen and its resistance pattern. One important revision was the distinction between low, increased and high risk of infection with Enterobacterales resistant to third generation cephalosporins (3GRC-E) to guide the choice of empirical therapy. Other new topics included empirical antibacterial therapy in patients with a reported penicillin allergy and the role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to guide dosing in sepsis. We also established recommendations on timing and duration of antibacterial treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our multidisciplinary committee formulated evidence-based recommendations for the empiric antibacterial therapy of adults with sepsis in The Netherlands.

Prehospital Bundle of Care Based on Antibiotic Therapy and Hemodynamic Optimization Is Associated With a 30-Day Mortality Decrease in Patients With Septic Shock

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the association between the 30-day mortality in patients with septic shock (SS) and a prehospital bundle of care completion, antibiotic therapy administration, and hemodynamic optimization defined as a fluid expansion of at least 10 mL.kg-1.hr-1.

DESIGN

To assess the association between prehospital BUndle of Care (BUC) completion and 30-day mortality, the inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) propensity method was performed.

SETTING

International guidelines recommend early treatment implementation in order to reduce SS mortality. More than one single treatment, a bundle of care, including antibiotic therapy and hemodynamic optimization, is more efficient.

PATIENTS

From May 2016 to March 2021, patients with SS requiring prehospital mobile ICU (mICU) intervention were retrospectively analyzed.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Among the 529 patients with SS requiring action by the mICU enrolled in this study, 354 (67%) were analyzed. Presumed pulmonary, digestive, and urinary infections were the cause of the SS in 49%, 25%, and 13% of the cases, respectively. The overall 30-day mortality was 32%. Seventy-one patients (20%) received prehospital antibiotic therapy and fluid expansion. Log binomial regression weighted with IPTW resulted in a significant association between 30-day mortality and prehospital BUC completion (respiratory rate [RR] of 0.56 [0.33-0.89]; p = 0.02 and adjusted RR 0.52 [0.27-0.93]; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A prehospital bundle of care, based on antibiotic therapy and hemodynamic optimization, is associated with a 30-day mortality decrease among patients suffering from SS cared for by an mICU.

The Current and Future State of Pediatric Sepsis Definitions: An International Survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Definitions for pediatric sepsis were established in 2005 without data-driven criteria. It is unknown whether the more recent adult Sepsis-3 definitions meet the needs of providers caring for children. We aimed to explore the use and applicability of criteria to diagnose sepsis and septic shock in children across the world.

METHODS

This is an international electronic survey of clinicians distributed across international and national societies representing pediatric intensive care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and pediatric infectious diseases. Respondents stated their preferences on a 5-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

There were 2835 survey responses analyzed, of which 48% originated from upper-middle income countries, followed by high income countries (38%) and low or lower-middle income countries (14%). Abnormal vital signs, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and microbiologic diagnoses were the criteria most used for the diagnosis of "sepsis." The 2005 consensus definitions were perceived to be the most useful for sepsis recognition, while Sepsis-3 definitions were stated as more useful for benchmarking, disease classification, enrollment into trials, and prognostication. The World Health Organization definitions were perceived as least useful across all domains. Seventy one percent of respondents agreed that the term sepsis should be restricted to children with infection-associated organ dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians around the world apply a myriad of signs, symptoms, laboratory studies, and treatment factors when diagnosing sepsis. The concept of sepsis as infection with associated organ dysfunction is broadly supported. Currently available sepsis definitions fall short of the perceived needs. Future diagnostic algorithms should be pragmatic and sensitive to the clinical settings.

[Resuscitation strategy for patients with sepsis and septic shock]

Fluid and vasopressor resuscitation is, along with antimicrobial therapy and control of the focus of infection, a basic issue of the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. There is currently no accepted protocol that we can follow for the resuscitation of these patients and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign proposes controversial measures and without sufficient evidence support to establish firm recommendations. We propose a resuscitation strategy adapted to the situation of each patient: in the patient in whom community sepsis is suspected, we consider that the early administration of 30mL/kg of crystalloids is effective and safe; in the patient with nosocomial sepsis, we must carry out a more in-depth evaluation before initiating aggressive resuscitation. In patients who do not respond to initial resuscitation, it is necessary to increase monitoring level and, depending on the hemodynamic profile, administer more fluids, a second vasopressor or inotropes.

Retrospective Identification of Infection in the Emergency Department: A Significant Challenge in Sepsis Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND

This study examined three methods for retrospectively identifying infection in emergency department (ED) patients: modified objective definitions of infection (MODI) from the CDC/NHSN, physician adjudication determination of infection, and ED treating physician behavior.

METHOD

This study used a subset of data from a prospective sepsis trial. We used Fleiss's Kappa to compare agreement between two physicians retrospectively adjudicating infection based on the patient's medical record, modified infection definition from the CDC/NHSN, and ED treating physician behavior.

RESULTS

Overall, there was similar agreement between physician adjudication of infection and MODI criteria (Kappa=0.59) compared to having two physicians independently identify infection through retrospective chart review (Kappa=0.58). ED treating physician behavior was a poorer proxy for infection when compared to the MODI criteria (0.41) and physician adjudication (Kappa = 0.50).

CONCLUSION

Retrospective identification of infection poses a significant challenge in sepsis clinical trials. Using modified definitions of infection provides a standardized, less time consuming, and equally effective means of identifying infection compared to having multiple physicians adjudicate a patient's chart.

Blood Cultures and Molecular Diagnostics in Intensive Care Units to Diagnose Sepsis: A Bayesian Latent Class Model Analysis

Background

Confirmation of sepsis by standard blood cultures (STD) is often inconclusive due to slow growth and low positivity. Molecular diagnostics (MOL) are faster and may have higher positivity, but test performance can be inaccurately estimated if STD methods are used as comparators. Bayesian latent class models (LCMs) can evaluate diagnostic methods when there is no "gold standard." Intensive care unit studies that have used LCMs to combine and compare STD and MOL method performance and estimate the prevalence of sepsis have not been described.

Patients and methods

Results from an ICU sepsis study that used both tests simultaneously were analyzed. Bayesian LCMs combined prior prevalence of sepsis, prior diagnostic characteristics of the two methods, and the study results to estimate the posterior prevalence and diagnostic characteristics. Sensitivity analyses were performed using objective (published studies) and subjective (expert opinion) prior parameters. Positive predictive values (PPVs) of the prevalence of sepsis were estimated for all combinations of test results.

Results

The range of posterior estimates was: sepsis prevalence (0.38-0.88), sensitivities (STD: 0.2-0.35, MOL: 0.56-0.86), and specificities (STD: 0.87-0.99, MOL: 0.72-0.95). The PPV (sepsis) of both tests being positive was (0.72-0.99).

Conclusion

LCMs combined two imperfect methods to estimate prevalence, PPV, and diagnostic characteristics. The posterior estimates (STD sensitivity < MOL and STD specificity > MOL) seem to reflect the clinical experience appropriately. The high PPV when both methods show positive results can be useful for ruling in disease.

How to cite this article

Sampath S, Baby J, Krishna B, Dendukuri N, Thomas T. Blood Cultures and Molecular Diagnostics in Intensive Care Units to Diagnose Sepsis: A Bayesian Latent Class Model Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(12):1402-1407.

Impact of 1-hour and 3-hour sepsis time bundles on patient outcomes and antimicrobial use: A before and after cohort study

Background

Sepsis bundles, promulgated by Surviving Sepsis Campaign have not been widely adopted because of variability in sepsis identification strategies, implementation challenges, concerns about excess antimicrobial use, and limited evidence of benefit.

Methods

A 1-hour septic shock and a 3-hour sepsis bundle were implemented using a Breakthrough Series Collaborative in 14 public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. A before (baseline) and after (post-intervention) study evaluated its impact on outcomes and antimicrobial prescription in patients with confirmed bacteremia and sepsis.

Findings

Between 01 July 2017 to 31 March 2020, of 6976 adults presenting to the Emergency Departments and had a blood culture taken, 1802 patients (732 baseline, 1070 post-intervention) met inclusion criteria. Time to antibiotics in 1-hour 73.7% vs 85.1% (OR 1.9 [95%CI 1.1-3.6]) and the 3-hour bundle compliance (48.2% to 63.3%, OR 1.7, [95%CI 1.4 to 2.1]) improved post-intervention, accompanied by a significant reduction in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rates (26.5% vs 17.5% (OR 0.5, [95%CI 0.4 to 0.7]). There were no significant differences in-hospital and 30-day post discharge mortality between the two phases. In a post-hoc analysis of the post-intervention phase, sepsis pathway compliance was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (9.7% vs 14.9%, OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4 to 0.8). The proportions of appropriate antimicrobial prescription at baseline and post-intervention respectively were 55.4% vs 64.1%, (OR 1.4 [95%CI 0.9 to 2.1]).

Interpretation

Implementing 1-hour and 3-hour sepsis bundles for patients presenting with bacteremia resulted in improved bundle compliance and a reduced need for ICU admission without adversely influencing antimicrobial prescription.

Time-to-antibiotics and clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis and septic shock: a prospective nationwide multicenter cohort study

Background

Timely administration of antibiotics is one of the most important interventions in reducing mortality in sepsis. However, administering antibiotics within a strict time threshold in all patients suspected with sepsis will require huge amount of effort and resources and may increase the risk of unintentional exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients without infection with its consequences. Thus, controversy still exists on whether clinicians should target different time-to-antibiotics thresholds for patients with sepsis versus septic shock.

Methods

This study analyzed prospectively collected data from an ongoing multicenter cohort of patients with sepsis identified in the emergency department. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were compared for in-hospital mortality of patients who had received antibiotics within 1 h to that of those who did not. Spline regression models were used to assess the association of time-to-antibiotics as continuous variables and increasing risk of in-hospital mortality. The differences in the association between time-to-antibiotics and in-hospital mortality were assessed according to the presence of septic shock.

Results

Overall, 3035 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 601 (19.8%) presented with septic shock, and 774 (25.5%) died. The adjusted OR for in-hospital mortality of patients whose time-to-antibiotics was within 1 h was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.99; p = 0.046). The adjusted OR for in-hospital mortality was 0.66 (95% CI 0.44–0.99; p = 0.049) and statistically significant in patients with septic shock, whereas it was 0.85 (95% CI 0.64–1.15; p = 0.300) in patients with sepsis but without shock. Among patients who received antibiotics within 3 h, those with septic shock showed 35% (p = 0.042) increased risk of mortality for every 1-h delay in antibiotics, but no such trend was observed in patients without shock.

Conclusion

Timely administration of antibiotics improved outcomes in patients with septic shock; however, the association between early antibiotic administration and outcome was not as clear in patients with sepsis without shock.

Patient Heterogeneity and the J-Curve Relationship Between Time-to-Antibiotics and the Outcomes of Patients Admitted With Bacterial Infection

OBJECTIVES

Sepsis remains a leading and preventable cause of hospital utilization and mortality in the United States. Despite updated guidelines, the optimal definition of sepsis as well as optimal timing of bundled treatment remain uncertain. Identifying patients with infection who benefit from early treatment is a necessary step for tailored interventions. In this study, we aimed to illustrate clinical predictors of time-to-antibiotics among patients with severe bacterial infection and model the effect of delay on risk-adjusted outcomes across different sepsis definitions.

DESIGN

A multicenter retrospective observational study.

SETTING

A seven-hospital network including academic tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Eighteen-thousand three-hundred fifteen patients admitted with severe bacterial illness with or without sepsis by either acute organ dysfunction (AOD) or systemic inflammatory response syndrome positivity.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary exposure was time to antibiotics. We identified patient predictors of time-to-antibiotics including demographics, chronic diagnoses, vitals, and laboratory results and determined the impact of delay on a composite of inhospital death or length of stay over 10 days. Distribution of time-to-antibiotics was similar across patients with and without sepsis. For all patients, a J-curve relationship between time-to-antibiotics and outcomes was observed, primarily driven by length of stay among patients without AOD. Patient characteristics provided good to excellent prediction of time-to-antibiotics irrespective of the presence of sepsis. Reduced time-to-antibiotics was associated with improved outcomes for all time points beyond 2.5 hours from presentation across sepsis definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic timing is a function of patient factors regardless of sepsis criteria. Similarly, we show that early administration of antibiotics is associated with improved outcomes in all patients with severe bacterial illness. Our findings suggest identifying infection is a rate-limiting and actionable step that can improve outcomes in septic and nonseptic patients.

Association Between Implementation of the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle Performance Measure and Outcomes in Patients With Suspected Sepsis in US Hospitals

IMPORTANCE

In October 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began requiring US hospitals to report adherence to the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle (SEP-1).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of SEP-1 implementation with sepsis treatment patterns and outcomes in diverse hospitals.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study with interrupted time-series analysis and logistic regression models was conducted among adults admitted to 114 hospitals from October 2013 to December 2017 with suspected sepsis (blood culture orders, ≥2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, and acute organ dysfunction) within 24 hours of hospital arrival. Data analysis was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021.

EXPOSURES

SEP-1 implementation in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was quarterly rates of risk-adjusted short-term mortality (in-hospital death or discharge to hospice). Secondary outcomes included lactate testing and administration of anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or antipseudomonal β-lactam antibiotics within 24 hours of hospital arrival. Generalized estimating equations with robust sandwich variances were used to fit logistic regression models to assess for changes in level or trends in these outcomes, adjusting for baseline characteristics and severity of illness.

RESULTS

The cohort included 117 510 patients (median [IQR] age, 67 years [55-78] years; 60 530 [51.5%] men and 56 980 [48.5%] women) with suspected sepsis. Lactate testing rates increased from 55.1% (95% CI, 53.9%-56.2%) in Q4 of 2013 to 76.7% (95% CI, 75.4%-78.0%) in Q4 of 2017, with a significant level change following SEP-1 implementation (odds ratio [OR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04-1.74). There were increases in use of anti-MRSA antibiotics (19.8% [95% CI, 18.9%-20.7%] in Q4 of 2013 to 26.3% [95% CI, 24.9%-27.7%] in Q4 of 2017) and antipseudomonal antibiotics (27.7% [95% CI, 26.7%-28.8%] in Q4 of 2013 to 40.5% [95% CI, 38.9%-42.0%] in Q4 of 2017), but these trends preceded SEP-1 and did not change with SEP-1 implementation. Unadjusted short-term mortality rates were similar in the pre-SEP-1 period (Q4 of 2013 through Q3 of 2015) vs the post-SEP-1 period (Q1 of 2016 through Q4 of 2017) (20.3% [95% CI, 20.0%-20.6%] vs 20.4% [95% CI, 20.1%-20.7%]), and SEP-1 implementation was not associated with changes in level (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.68-1.29) or trend (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.97-1.04) for risk-adjusted short-term mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, SEP-1 implementation was associated with an immediate increase in lactate testing rates, no change in already-increasing rates of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and no change in short-term mortality rates for patients with suspected sepsis. Other approaches to decrease sepsis mortality may be warranted.

The Impact of CMS SEP-1 Core Measure Implementation on Antibacterial Utilization: a retrospective multicenter longitudinal cohort study with interrupted time-series analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Management Bundle (SEP-1) Core Measure on overall antibacterial utilization is unknown.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective multicenter longitudinal cohort study with interrupted time series analysis to determine the impact of SEP-1 implementation on antibacterial utilization and patient outcomes. All adult patients admitted to 26 hospitals between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015 (the "SEP-1 preparation period") and between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (the "SEP-1 implementation period") were evaluated for inclusion.The primary outcome was total antibacterial utilization measured as days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 701,055 eligible patient admissions and 4.2 million patient days. Overall antibacterial utilization increased 2% each month during SEP-1 preparation (RR=1.02 per month [95% CI 1.00-1.04]; p=0.02). Cumulatively, the mean monthly DOT/1,000 patient-days increased 24.4% [95% CI 18.0, 38.8] over the entire study period (October 2014-October 2016). The rate of sepsis diagnosis/1,000 patients increased 2% each month during SEP-1 preparation (RR=1.02 per month [95% CI 1.00-1.04]; p=0.04). The rate of all-cause mortality/1,000 patients decreased during the study period (SEP-1 preparation RR=0.95 [0.92-0.98]; p=0.001 and SEP-1 implementation RR=0.98 [95% CI 0.97-1.00]; p=0.01). Cumulatively, the monthly mean all-cause mortality/1,000 patients declined 38.5% [95% CI 25.9, 48.0] over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Announcement and implementation of the CMS SEP-1 process measure was associated with increased diagnosis of sepsis and antibacterial utilization and decreased mortality among hospitalized patients.

The pathophysiology of sepsis - 2021 update: Part 2, organ dysfunction and assessment

DISCLAIMER

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

PURPOSE

This is the second article in a 2-part series discussing the pathophysiology of sepsis. Part 1 of the series reviewed the immunologic response and overlapping pathways of inflammation and coagulation that contribute to the widespread organ dysfunction. In this article (part 2), major organ systems and their dysfunction in sepsis are reviewed, with discussion of scoring systems used to identify patterns and abnormal vital signs and laboratory values associated with sepsis.

SUMMARY

Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection that produces significant morbidity, and patients with shock due to sepsis have circulatory and cellular and metabolic abnormalities that lead to a higher mortality. Cardiovascular dysfunction produces vasodilation, reduced cardiac output and hypotension/shock requiring fluids, vasopressors, and advanced hemodynamic monitoring. Respiratory dysfunction may require mechanical ventilation and attention to volume status. Renal dysfunction is a frequent manifestation of sepsis. Hematologic dysfunction produces low platelets and either elevation or reduction of leucocytes, so consideration of the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio may be useful. Procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activity leads to coagulation that is stimulated by inflammation. Hepatic dysfunction manifest as elevated bilirubin is often a late finding in sepsis and may cause reductions in production of essential proteins. Neurologic dysfunction may result from local endothelial injury and systemic inflammation through activity of the vagus nerve.

CONCLUSION

Timely recognition and team response with efficient use of therapies can improve patient outcome, and pharmacists with a complete understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms and treatments are valuable members of that team.

How Antibiotics Stewardship Can Be Safely Implemented in Patients with Septic Shock?

In critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock, the need for prompt and adequate antibiotic therapy is balanced by the risk of excessive antibiotic exposure that leads to emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. As such, antibiotic stewardship programs propose a set of operating rules from antibiotic treatment initiation to de-escalation and finally cessation. In this review, we will describe the rationale for early antibiotic treatment in septic patients, how to optimize initial antibiotic treatment, rules for early treatment discontinuation in pathogen-negative sepsis, and optimal duration of antimicrobial therapy.

Evidence for the Application of Sepsis Bundles in 2021

Sepsis represents a severe condition that predisposes patients to a high risk of death if its progression is not ended. As with other time-dependent conditions, the performance of determinant interventions has led to significant survival benefits and quality-of-care improvements in acute emergency care. Thus, the initial interventions in sepsis are a cornerstone for prognosis in most patients. Even though the evidence supporting the hour-1 bundle is perfectible, real-life application of thoughtful and organized sepsis care has improved survival and quality of care in settings promoting compliance to evidence-based treatments. Current evidence for implementing the Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundles for early sepsis management is moving forward to better approaches as more substantial evidence evolves.

Long non‑coding RNA FGD5‑AS1/microRNA‑133a‑3p upregulates aquaporin 1 to decrease the inflammatory response in LPS‑induced sepsis

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infections. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of FGD5‑AS1 in sepsis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammatory response. An animal model of sepsis was constructed. LPS was used to induce mice HL‑1 cardiomyocytes to construct a cell model. The association between FGD5‑AS1 and miR‑133a‑3p was investigated through animal and cell models. FGD5‑AS1 overexpression was used to analyze the effect of FGD5‑AS1 on inflammatory reaction. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α, interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑6 levels were detected by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The interaction of FGD5‑AS1, miR‑133a‑3p and aquaporin 1 (AQP1) was detected by dual‑luciferase reporter assay and microRNA (miRNA/miR) pull‑down assay. Compared with the control group, the expression of FGD5‑AS1 was decreased and the expression of miR‑133a‑3p was increased in the sepsis group. FGD5‑AS1 overexpression increased LPS‑induced expression of FGD5‑AS1 and AQP1, decreased the expression of miR‑133a‑3p, and inhibited the expression of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF‑α, IL‑6 and IL‑1β. Dual‑luciferase reporter and miRNA pull‑down assays confirmed the interaction of FGD5‑AS1, miR‑133a‑3p and AQP1. These results indicated that FGD5‑AS1 is the competitive endogenous RNA of miR‑133a‑3p on AQP1, and thus FGD5‑AS1 overexpression may be able to inhibit the inflammatory response in sepsis.

Management of sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department

Early management of sepsis and septic shock is crucial for patients' prognosis. As the Emergency Department (ED) is the place where the first medical contact for septic patients is likely to occur, emergency physicians play an essential role in the early phases of patient management, which consists of accurate initial diagnosis, resuscitation, and early antibiotic treatment. Since the issuing of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in 2016, several studies have been published on different aspects of sepsis management, adding a substantial amount of new information on the pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. In light of this emerging evidence, the present narrative review provides a comprehensive account of the recent advances in septic patient management in the ED.

Impact of a restrictive antibiotic policy on the acquisition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in an endemic region: a before-and-after, propensity-matched cohort study in a Caribbean intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

High-level antibiotic consumption plays a critical role in the selection and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in the ICU. Implementation of a stewardship program including a restrictive antibiotic policy was evaluated with respect to ESBL-E acquisition (carriage and infection).

METHODS

We implemented a 2-year, before-and-after intervention study including all consecutive adult patients admitted for > 48 h in the medical-surgical 26-bed ICU of Guadeloupe University Hospital (French West Indies). A conventional strategy period (CSP) including a broad-spectrum antibiotic as initial empirical treatment, followed by de-escalation (period before), was compared to a restrictive strategy period (RSP) limiting broad-spectrum antibiotics and shortening their duration. Antibiotic therapy was delayed and initiated only after microbiological identification, except for septic shock, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and meningitis (period after). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model adjusted on propensity score values was performed. The main outcome was the median time of being ESBL-E-free in the ICU. Secondary outcome included all-cause ICU mortality.

RESULTS

The study included 1541 patients: 738 in the CSP and 803 in the RSP. During the RSP, less patients were treated with antibiotics (46.8% vs. 57.9%; p < 0.01), treatment duration was shorter (5 vs. 6 days; p < 0.01), and administration of antibiotics targeting anaerobic pathogens significantly decreased (65.3% vs. 33.5%; p < 0.01) compared to the CSP. The incidence of ICU-acquired ESBL-E was lower (12.1% vs. 19%; p < 0.01) during the RSP. The median time of being ESBL-E-free was 22 days (95% CI 16-NA) in the RSP and 18 days (95% CI 16-21) in the CSP. After propensity score weighting and adjusted analysis, the median time of being ESBL-E-free was independently associated with the RSP (hazard ratio, 0.746 [95% CI 0.575-0.968]; p = 0.02, and hazard ratio 0.751 [95% CI 0.578-0.977]; p = 0.03, respectively). All-cause ICU mortality was lower in the RSP than in the CSP (22.5% vs. 28.6%; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a program including a restrictive antibiotic strategy is feasible and is associated with less ESBL-E acquisition in the ICU without any worsening of patient outcome.

Assessment of a Cellular Host Response Test as a Sepsis Diagnostic for Those With Suspected Infection in the Emergency Department

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Objectives:

Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. A reliable, rapid, and early indicator can help improve efficiency of care and outcomes. To assess the IntelliSep test, a novel in vitro diagnostic that quantifies the state of immune activation by measuring the biophysical properties of leukocytes, as a rapid diagnostic for sepsis and a measure of severity of illness, as defined by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II scores and the need for hospitalization.

Design, Setting, SUBJECTS:

Adult patients presenting to two emergency departments in Baton Rouge, LA, with signs of infection (two of four systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, with at least one being aberration of temperature or WBC count) or suspicion of infection (a clinician order for culture of a body fluid), were prospectively enrolled. Sepsis status, per Sepsis-3 criteria, was determined through a 3-tiered retrospective and blinded adjudication process consisting of objective review, site-level clinician review, and final determination by independent physician adjudicators.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Of 266 patients in the final analysis, those with sepsis had higher IntelliSep Index (median = 6.9; interquartile range, 6.1–7.6) than those adjudicated as not septic (median = 4.7; interquartile range, 3.7–5.9; p < 0.001), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89 and 0.83 when compared with unanimous and forced adjudication standards, respectively. Patients with higher IntelliSep Index had higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (3 [interquartile range, 1–5] vs 1 [interquartile range, 0–2]; p < 0.001) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (7 [interquartile range, 3.5–11.5] vs 5 [interquartile range, 2–9]; p < 0.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (83.6% vs 48.3%; p < 0.001) compared with those with lower IntelliSep Index.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients presenting to the emergency department with signs or suspicion of infection, the IntelliSep Index is a promising tool for the rapid diagnosis and risk stratification for sepsis.