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

Association between prehospital ROX index with 30-day mortality among septic shock

PURPOSE

Respiratory dysfunction is one of the most frequent symptoms observed during sepsis reflecting hypoxemia and/or acidosis that may be assessed by the ROX index (ratio of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate). This study aimed to describe the relationship between the prehospital ROX index and 30-day mortality rate among septic shock patients cared for in the prehospital setting by a mobile intensive care unit (MICU).

METHODS

From May 2016 to December 2021, 530 septic shock patients cared for by a prehospital MICU were retrospectively analysed. Initial ROX index value was calculated at the first contact with MICU. A Cox regression analysis after propensity score matching was performed to assess the relationship between 30-day mortality rate and a ROX index ≤ 10.

RESULTS

Pulmonary, digestive and urinary sepsis were suspected among 43%, 25% and 17% patients, respectively. The 30-day overall mortality reached 31%. Cox regression analysis showed a significant association between 30-day mortality and a ROX index ≤ 10: adjusted hazard ratio of 1.54 [1.08-2.31], p < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

During the prehospital stage of septic shock patients cared for by a MICU, ROX index is significantly associated with 30-day mortality. A prehospital ROX ≤ 10 value is associated with a 1.5-fold 30-day mortality rate increase. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the ability of prehospital ROX to predict sepsis outcome since the prehospital setting.

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.

The prehospital NEW score to assess septic shock in-hospital, 30-day and 90-day mortality

BACKGROUND

The early identification of sepsis presenting a high risk of deterioration is a daily challenge to optimise patient pathway. This is all the most crucial in the prehospital setting to optimize triage and admission into the appropriate unit: emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU). We report the association between the prehospital National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS-2) and in-hospital, 30 and 90-day mortality of SS patients cared for in the pre-hospital setting by a mobile ICU (MICU).

METHODS

Septic shock (SS) patients cared for by a MICU between 2016, April 6th and 2021 December 31st were included in this retrospective cohort study. The NEWS-2 is based on 6 physiological variables (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation prior oxygen supplementation, and level of consciousness) and ranges from 0 to 20. The Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting (IPTW) propensity method was applied to assess the association with in-hospital, 30 and 90-day mortality. A NEWS-2 ≥ 7 threshold was chosen for increased clinical deterioration risk definition and usefulness in clinical practice based on previous reports.

RESULTS

Data from 530 SS patients requiring MICU intervention in the pre-hospital setting were analysed. The mean age was 69 ± 15 years and presumed origin of sepsis was pulmonary (43%), digestive (25%) or urinary (17%) infection. In-hospital mortality rate was 33%, 30 and 90-day mortality were respectively 31% and 35%. A prehospital NEWS-2 ≥ 7 is associated with an increase in-hospital, 30 and 90-day mortality with respective RRa = 2.34 [1.39-3.95], 2.08 [1.33-3.25] and 2.22 [1.38-3.59]. Calibration statistic values for in-hospital mortality, 30-day and 90-day mortality were 0.54; 0.55 and 0.53 respectively.

CONCLUSION

A prehospital NEWS-2 ≥ 7 is associated with an increase in in-hospital, 30 and 90-day mortality of septic shock patients cared for by a MICU in the prehospital setting. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the usefulness of NEWS-2 to improve the prehospital triage and orientation to the adequate facility of sepsis.