Antimicrobial Therapy and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Sepsis

An observational study on the impact of overcrowding towards door-to-antibiotic time among sepsis patients presented to emergency department of a tertiary academic hospital

BACKGROUND

The latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 recommends early antibiotics administration. However, Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding can delay sepsis management. This study aimed to determine the effect of ED overcrowding towards the management and outcome of sepsis patients presented to ED.

METHODS

This was an observational study conducted among sepsis patients presented to ED of a tertiary university hospital from 18th January 2021 until 28th February 2021. ED overcrowding status was determined using the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Score (NEDOCS) scoring system. Sepsis patients were identified using Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and their door-to-antibiotic time (DTA) were recorded. Patient outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. P-value of less than 0.05 for a two-sided test was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Total of 170 patients were recruited. Among them, 33 patients presented with septic shock and only 15% (n = 5) received antibiotics within one hour. Of 137 sepsis patients without shock, 58.4% (n = 80) received antibiotics within three hours. We found no significant association between ED overcrowding with DTA time (p = 0.989) and LOS (p = 0.403). However, in-hospital mortality increased two times during overcrowded ED (95% CI 1-4; p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

ED overcrowding has no significant impact on DTA and LOS which are crucial indicators of sepsis care quality but it increases overall mortality outcome. Further research is needed to explore other factors such as lack of resources, delay in initiating fluid resuscitation or vasopressor so as to improve sepsis patient care during ED overcrowding.

Antimicrobial stewardship markers and healthcare-associated pneumonia threshold criteria in UK hospitals: analysis of the MicroGuideTm application

Background

To address antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) principles must be implemented and adhered to. Clinical decision aids such as the MicroGuideTM app are an important part of these efforts. We sought to evaluate the consistency of core AMS information and the diversity of classification thresholds for healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) in the MicroGuide app.

Methods

Guidelines in the MicroGuide app were extracted and analysed for content related to AMS and HAP. Guidelines were characterized according to HAP naming classification; community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) classifications were analysed to serve as a comparator group.

Results

In total, 115 trusts (119 hospitals) were included. Nearly all hospitals had developed MicroGuide sections on AMS (n = 112/119, 94%) and sepsis management (n = 117/119, 98%). Other AMS sections were outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (47%), antifungal stewardship (70%), critical care (23%) and IV to oral switch therapy (83%). Only 9% of hospitals included guidance on the maximum six key AMS sections identified. HAP definitions varied widely across hospitals with some classifying by time to onset and some classifying by severity or complexity. The largest proportion of HAP guidelines based classification on severity/complexity (n = 69/119, 58%). By contrast, definitions in CAP guidelines were uniform.

Conclusions

The high heterogeneity in HAP classification identified suggests inconsistency of practice in identifying thresholds for HAP in the UK. This complicates HAP management and AMS practices. To address HAP in alignment with AMS principles, a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes uniform clinical definitions and thresholds should be developed.

Primary Infection Site as a Predictor of Sepsis Development in Emergency Department Patients

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition but predicting its development and progression remains a challenge.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of infection site on sepsis development among emergency department (ED) patients.

METHODS

Data were collected from a single-center ED between January 2016 and December 2019. Patient encounters with documented infections, as defined by the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms for upper respiratory tract (URI), lower respiratory tract (LRI), urinary tract (UTI), or skin or soft-tissue infections were included. Primary outcome was the development of sepsis or septic shock, as defined by Sepsis-1/2 criteria. Secondary outcomes included hospital disposition and length of stay, blood and urine culture positivity, antibiotic administration, vasopressor use, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day mortality. Analysis of variance and various different logistic regression approaches were used for analysis with URI used as the reference variable.

RESULTS

LRI was most associated with sepsis (relative risk ratio [RRR] 5.63; 95% CI 5.07-6.24) and septic shock (RRR 21.2; 95% CI 17.99-24.98) development, as well as hospital admission rates (odds ratio [OR] 8.23; 95% CI 7.41-9.14), intensive care unit admission (OR 4.27; 95% CI 3.84-4.74), in-hospital mortality (OR 6.93; 95% CI 5.60-8.57), and 30-day mortality (OR 7.34; 95% CI 5.86-9.19). UTIs were also associated with sepsis and septic shock development, but to a lesser degree than LRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary infection sites including LRI and UTI were significantly associated with sepsis development, hospitalization, length of stay, and mortality among patients presenting with infections in the ED.

Multiple Blood Culture Sampling, Proper Antimicrobial Choice, and Adequate Dose in Definitive Therapy Supported by the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team Could Decrease 30-Day Sepsis Mortality Rates

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors that should be focused on by the antimicrobial stewardship team for treating patients with sepsis, by investigating the mortality of patients with sepsis within 30 days and the mortality-related factors in our hospital over a 10-year period from the perspective of appropriate antimicrobial use.

Methods

Factors associated with 30-day mortality were investigated using hierarchical multiple logistic regression in 1406 patients with pathogen-identified sepsis in Hirosaki University Hospital. These factors were clinical data, microbiological data, antimicrobials used in empiric and definitive therapies, presence/absence of ineffective use, underdosing as evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation, and practice of de-escalation.

Results

The ineffective use of antimicrobials in empiric therapy and the underdosing and ineffective use in definitive therapy were significantly associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70, 3.72, and 3.65, respectively). Multiple blood culture sampling was inversely associated with these inappropriate antimicrobial uses. Every year, the 30-day mortality rate has been decreasing, in line with the increase in multiple blood culture sampling and de-escalation; the inappropriate use of antimicrobials has also decreased.

Conclusion

Multiple blood culture sampling, proper choice of antimicrobial, and using an adequate dose in definitive therapy could decrease the 30-day mortality rate in patients with sepsis and these factors could be supported by the antimicrobial stewardship team.

Improving the management of medical emergency team calls due to suspected infections: A before-after study

Objective

To introduce a management guideline for sepsis-related MET calls to increase lactate and blood culture acquisition, as well as prescription of appropriate antibiotics.

Design

Prospective before (Jun-Aug 2018) and after (Oct-Dec 2018) study was designed.

Setting

A public university linked hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

Adult patients with MET calls related to sepsis/infection were included.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was the proportion of MET calls during which both a blood culture and lactate level were ordered. Secondary outcomes included the frequency with which new antimicrobials were commenced by the MET, and the presence and class of administered antimicrobials.

Results

There were 985 and 955 MET calls in the baseline and after periods, respectively. Patient features, MET triggers, limitations of treatment and disposition after the MET call were similar in both groups. Compliance with the acquisition of lactates (p = 0.101), respectively. There was a slight reduction in compliance with lactate acquisition in the after period (97% vs 99%; p = 0.06). In contrast, there was a significant increase in acquisition of blood cultures in the after period (69% vs 78%; p = 0.035).

Conclusions

Introducing a sepsis management guideline and enhanced linkage with an AMS program increased blood culture acquisition and decreased broad spectrum antimicrobial use but didn't change in-hospital mortality.

Clinical Utility of Procalcitonin on Antibiotic Stewardship: A Narrative Review

Procalcitonin (PCT) was discovered as a useful marker for bacterial infection. Following its discovery, there have been a substantial number of clinical studies conducted to evaluate the presence of bacterial infections, and to guide antibiotic treatment by the stratified levels of PCT. Clinical evidence suggests that antibiotic treatment by PCT-guided antibiotic stewardship has been associated with a reduction in antibiotic usage without an increase in adverse outcomes. The use of PCT was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America in 2017 to guide antibiotic treatment in sepsis and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). In Korea, the use of PCT for sepsis and for pneumonia was approved in 2015 and 2022, respectively. This review will discuss the clinical utility of PCT on antibiotic stewardship in the management of sepsis and LRTIs including pneumonia.

Korean Guidelines for Use of Antibiotics for Intra-abdominal Infections in Adults

The guidelines are intended to provide practical information for the correct use of antibiotics for intra-abdominal infections in Korea. With the aim of realizing evidence-based treatment, these guidelines for the use of antibiotics were written to help clinicians find answers to key clinical questions that arise in the course of patient care, using the latest research results based on systematic literature review. The guidelines were prepared in consideration of the data on the causative pathogens of intra-abdominal infections in Korea, the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative pathogens, and the antibiotics available in Korea.

Core Elements for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals

Currently, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global public health. The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) has been proposed as an important approach to overcome this crisis. ASP supports the optimal use of antimicrobials, including appropriate dosing decisions, administration duration, and administration routes. In Korea, efforts are being made to overcome AMR using ASPs as a national policy. The current study aimed to develop core elements of ASP that could be introduced in domestic medical facilities. A Delphi survey was conducted twice to select the core elements through expert consensus. The core elements for implementing the ASP included (1) leadership commitment, (2) operating system, (3) action, (4) tracking, (5) reporting, and (6) education. To ensure these core elements are present at medical facilities, multiple departments must collaborate as teams for ASP operations. Establishing a reimbursement system and a workforce for ASPs are prerequisites for implementing ASPs. To ensure that ASP core elements are actively implemented in medical facilities, it is necessary to provide financial support for ASPs in medical facilities, nurture the healthcare workforce in performing ASPs, apply the core elements to healthcare accreditation, and provide incentives to medical facilities by quality evaluation criteria.

Implementation of Procalcitonin in Antibiotic Stewardship: Derivation of a Consensus Algorithm for Procalcitonin Use in Clinical Practice

Reducing antibiotics overuse is essential to minimize antibiotics related side effects and to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Procalcitonin (PCT) guided antibiotics therapy has been reported to be safe in patients with acute respiratory infections and sepsis, improving clinical outcomes as well as reducing the duration of antibiotics use. However, there is still no universal agreement on clinical guidelines in Korea for optimal PCT applications. Through this expert consensus meeting, clinical research findings in the PCT-guided antibiotics treatment interventions and real-world clinical applications were discussed. From the perspective of antibiotic stewardship, PCT application target groups, cut-offs, and testing cycles were discussed to reach a consensus on the PCT-guided antibiotics treatment algorithm for application in Korea. Combining clinical assessment for patients with an appropriate PCT-guided antibiotics treatment algorithm could improve the diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory infections and sepsis. In addition, continuous education and regular feedback would improve the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship.

Current Status of Antibiotic Stewardship and the Role of Biomarkers in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

The importance of antibiotic stewardship is increasingly emphasized in accordance with the increasing incidences of multidrug-resistant organisms and accompanying increases in disease burden. This review describes the obstacles in operating an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP), and whether the use of biomarkers within currently available resources can help. Surveys conducted around the world have shown that major obstacles to ASPs are shortages of time and personnel, lack of appropriate compensation for ASP operation, and lack of guidelines or appropriate manuals. Sufficient investment, such as the provision of full-time equivalent ASP practitioners, and adoption of computerized clinical decision systems are useful measures to improve ASP within an institution. However, these methods are not easy in terms of both time commitments and cost. Some biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and presepsin are promising tools in ASP due to their utility in diagnosis and forecasting the prognosis of sepsis. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of algorithmic approaches based on procalcitonin level to determine the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics, which would be helpful in decreasing antibiotics use, resulting in more appropriate antibiotics use.

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs

Background: The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) is a coordinated intervention designed to improve and measure the appropriate antibiotics use by selecting an optimal antibiotic drug regimen, including dosing, therapy duration, and administration route. The implementation of ASPs decreases the consumption, cost, and adverse effects of antibiotic use. Additionally, it improves the clinical outcomes, and decreases Clostridium difficile infection and antimicrobial resistance.Current Concepts: To overcome the antimicrobial resistance and implement ASPs worldwide, various efforts are underway, such as enacting ASP guidelines, developing core elements for ASP implementation, introducing ASPs to the healthcare accreditation system, and providing healthcare facilities with adequate incentives to implement ASPs. In Korea, ASP guidelines were published in September 2021, and core elements for ASP implementation are being developed at the time of writing. However, there is a shortage of personnel required for the ASP team, including healthcare workforce and infectious disease specialists for leading the team Moreover, financial support for ASP implementation in the National Health Insurance Service is not provided yet. The awareness of hospital leadership and clinicians prescribing antibiotics for ASP implementation is still low. The reimbursement system establishment and workforce for ASPs are prerequisite for the implementation of ASPs.Discussion and Conclusion: At the national level, it is necessary to provide financial support for ASPs in healthcare facilities, nurture the healthcare workforce in performing ASPs, and advocate ASP education and publicity.

Predictors of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Barriers Regarding Sepsis and Sepsis Management Among Emergency Nurses and Physicians in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Sepsis is a widespread problem that can create clinical and economic difficulties. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to the sepsis and sepsis management among emergency nurses and physicians. Data was collected using a self-questionnaire completed by the participating nurses and physicians (n = 243), with a 61% response rate. The study found that both emergency nurses and physicians had poor-to-moderate levels of sepsis knowledge, with emergency physicians having better attitudes regarding sepsis and sepsis management than emergency nurses. However, moderate knowledge levels of sepsis practice and management were shown among both nurses and physicians. It is evident that for emergency nurses and physicians, the biggest barrier to providing quality care to patients with sepsis is the lack of monitoring equipment. Both nurses and physicians need consistent sepsis management information provided by continual education programs. Development of an approved protocol can improve nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

A novel air-dried multiplex high-resolution melt assay for the detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and carbapenemase genes

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel air-dried high-resolution melt (HRM) assay to detect eight major extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) (blaSHV and blaCTX-M groups 1 and 9) and carbapenemase (blaNDM, blaIMP, blaKPC, blaVIM and blaOXA-48-like) genes that confer resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems.

METHODS

The assay was evaluated using 439 DNA samples extracted from bacterial isolates from Nepal, Malawi and the UK and 390 clinical isolates from Nepal with known antimicrobial susceptibility. Assay reproducibility was evaluated across five different real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) instruments [Rotor-Gene® Q, QuantStudioTM 5, CFX96, LightCycler® 480 and Magnetic Induction Cycler (Mic)]. Assay stability was also assessed under different storage temperatures (6.2 ± 0.9°C, 20.4 ± 0.7°C and 29.7 ± 1.4°C) at six time points over 8 months.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity (with 95% confidence intervals) for detecting ESBL and carbapenemase genes was 94.7% (92.5-96.5%) and 99.2% (98.8-99.5%) compared with the reference gel-based PCR and sequencing and 98.3% (97.0-99.3%) and 98.5% (98.0-98.9%) compared with the original HRM wet PCR mix format. Overall agreement was 91.1% (90.0-92.9%) when predicting phenotypic resistance to cefotaxime and meropenem among Enterobacteriaceae isolates. We observed almost perfect inter-machine reproducibility of the air-dried HRM assay, and no loss of sensitivity occurred under all storage conditions and time points.

CONCLUSION

We present a ready-to-use air-dried HRM PCR assay that offers an easy, thermostable, fast and accurate tool for the detection of ESBL and carbapenemase genes in DNA samples to improve antimicrobial resistance detection.

Estrategias de protección antimicrobiana en el cuidado de heridas: evidencia para el uso de apósitos recubiertos con DACC

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious health threats globally. The development of new antimicrobials is not keeping pace with the evolution of resistant microorganisms, and novel ways of tackling this problem are required. One of such initiatives has been the development of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (AMS). The use of wound dressings that employ a physical sequestration and retention approach to reduce bacterial burden offers a novel approach to support AMS. Bacterial-binding by dressings and their physical removal can minimise their damage and prevent the release of harmful endotoxins.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight AMS to promote the correct use of antimicrobials and to investigate how dialkylcarbamyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressings can support AMS.

METHOD

MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles relating to AMS, and the use of wound dressings in the prevention and treatment of wound infections. The evidence supporting alternative wound dressings that can reduce bioburden and prevent wound infection in a way that does not kill or damage the microorganisms were reviewed.

RESULTS

The evidence demonstrated that using bacterial-binding wound dressings that act in a physical manner (eg, DACC-coated dressings) to preventing infection in both acute and hard-to-heal wounds does not exacerbate AMR and supports AMS.

CONCLUSION

Some wound dressings work via a mechanism that promotes the binding and physical sequestration and removal of intact microorganisms from the wound bed (eg, a wound dressing that uses DACC technology to prevent/reduce infection). They provide a valuable tool that aligns with the requirements of AMS by effectively reducing wound bioburden without inducing/selecting for resistant bacteria.

2-Day versus C-reactive protein guided antibiotherapy with levofloxacin in acute COPD exacerbation: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Duration of antibiotic treatment in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is most commonly based on expert opinion. Biomarker guided strategy is increasingly recommended to limit unnecessary antibiotic use. We performed a randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of 2-day versus C-reactive protein (CRP)-guided treatment with levofloxacin in patients with AECOPD.

METHODS

Patients with AECOPD were randomized to receive oral levofloxacin daily for 7 days unless the serum CRP level decreased by at least 50% from the baseline value or levofloxacin for two days; thereafter, oral placebo tablet was prescribed according to the CRP. The primary outcome measure was cure rate, and secondary outcome included need for additional antibiotics, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, exacerbation rates and exacerbation free interval (EFI) within one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

In intention to treat (ITT) analysis, cure rate was 76.1% (n = 118) and 79.3% (n = 123) respectively in 2-day and CRP-guided groups. In per protocol (PP) analysis, cure rate was 73% (n = 92) and 70.4% (n = 88) respectively in 2-day and CRP-guided groups. The difference between the two groups was not significant. The need for additional antibiotics and ICU admission rates were not significantly different between the two groups. One-year exacerbation rate was 27% (n = 42) in 2-day group versus 30.3% (n = 47) in CRP-guided group (p = 0.53); the EFI was 125 days (interquartile range, 100-151) versus 100 days (interquartile range, 78-123) in 2-day and CRP-guided groups respectively (p = 0.45). No difference in adverse effects was detected.

CONCLUSION

Levofloxacin once daily for 2 days had similar efficacy compared to CRP-guided in AECOPD. This short course treatment decreased antibiotic consumption which would improve patient compliance and reduce adverse effects.

Antimicrobial stewardship strategies in wound care: evidence to support the use of dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC)- coated wound dressings

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, infections are treated with antimicrobials (for example, antibiotics, antiseptics, etc), but antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most serious health threats of the 21st century (before the emergence of COVID-19). Wounds can be a source of infection by allowing unconstrained entry of microorganisms into the body, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The development of new antimicrobials (particularly antibiotics) is not keeping pace with the evolution of resistant microorganisms and novel ways of addressing this problem are urgently required. One such initiative has been the development of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes, which educate healthcare workers, and control the prescribing and targeting of antimicrobials to reduce the likelihood of AMR. Of great importance has been the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) in supporting AMS by providing practical recommendations for optimising antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of wound infection. The use of wound dressings that use a physical sequestration and retention approach rather than antimicrobial agents to reduce bacterial burden offers a novel approach that supports AMS. Bacterial-binding by dressings and their physical removal, rather than active killing, minimises their damage and hence prevents the release of damaging endotoxins.

AIM

Our objective is to highlight AMS for the promotion of the judicious use of antimicrobials and to investigate how dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressings can support AMS goals.

METHOD

MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar were searched to identify published articles describing data relating to AMS, and the use of a variety of wound dressings in the prevention and/or treatment of wound infections. The evidence supporting alternative wound dressings that can reduce bioburden and prevent and/or treat wound infection in a manner that does not kill or damage the microorganisms (for example, by actively binding and removing intact microorganisms from wounds) were then narratively reviewed.

RESULTS

The evidence reviewed here demonstrates that using bacterial-binding wound dressings that act in a physical manner (for example, DACC-coated dressings) as an alternative approach to preventing and/or treating infection in both acute and hard-to-heal wounds does not exacerbate AMR and supports AMS.

CONCLUSION

Some wound dressings work via a mechanism that promotes the binding and physical uptake, sequestration and removal of intact microorganisms from the wound bed (for example, a wound dressing that uses DACC technology to successfully prevent/reduce infection). They provide a valuable tool that aligns with the requirements of AMS (for example, reducing the use of antimicrobials in wound treatment regimens) by effectively reducing wound bioburden without inducing/selecting for resistant bacteria.

Predicting 30-days mortality for MIMIC-III patients with sepsis-3: a machine learning approach using XGboost

Background

Sepsis is a significant cause of mortality in-hospital, especially in ICU patients. Early prediction of sepsis is essential, as prompt and appropriate treatment can improve survival outcomes. Machine learning methods are flexible prediction algorithms with potential advantages over conventional regression and scoring system. The aims of this study were to develop a machine learning approach using XGboost to predict the 30-days mortality for MIMIC-III Patients with sepsis-3 and to determine whether such model performs better than traditional prediction models.

Methods

Using the MIMIC-III v1.4, we identified patients with sepsis-3. The data was split into two groups based on death or survival within 30 days and variables, selected based on clinical significance and availability by stepwise analysis, were displayed and compared between groups. Three predictive models including conventional logistic regression model, SAPS-II score prediction model and XGBoost algorithm model were constructed by R software. Then, the performances of the three models were tested and compared by AUCs of the receiver operating characteristic curves and decision curve analysis. At last, nomogram and clinical impact curve were used to validate the model.

Results

A total of 4559 sepsis-3 patients are included in the study, in which, 889 patients were death and 3670 survival within 30 days, respectively. According to the results of AUCs (0.819 [95% CI 0.800–0.838], 0.797 [95% CI 0.781–0.813] and 0.857 [95% CI 0.839–0.876]) and decision curve analysis for the three models, the XGboost model performs best. The risk nomogram and clinical impact curve verify that the XGboost model possesses significant predictive value.

Conclusions

Using machine learning technique by XGboost, more significant prediction model can be built. This XGboost model may prove clinically useful and assist clinicians in tailoring precise management and therapy for the patients with sepsis-3.

An Observational Cohort Study Evaluating Antimicrobial Use in Peripartum Sepsis: A Tendency towards Overdiagnosis?

(1) Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of maternal death in 11–15% of women worldwide. This emphasises the importance of administrating timely and appropriate antibiotic therapy to women with sepsis. We aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing in women diagnosed with peripartum sepsis. (2) Method: A prospective observational cohort study in a single Scottish health region with 12,233 annual live births. Data were collected on women diagnosed with sepsis in the peripartum period using physical and electronic medical records, drug Kardex^® (medication administration) and ward handover records. (3) Results: A sepsis diagnosis was concluded in 89 of the 2690 pregnancy cases reviewed, with a median hospital stay of four days. Good overall adherence to the local guidelines for the empiric antimicrobial treatment of sepsis was observed. Group B Streptococcus was associated with 20.8% of maternal sepsis cases, whilst in 60% of clinical specimens tested no causative pathogen was isolated. (4) Conclusion: The lack of specific and sensitive clinical markers for sepsis, coupled with their inconsistent clinical application to inform diagnosis, hindered effective antimicrobial stewardship. This was further exacerbated by the lack of positive culture isolates from clinical specimens, which meant that patients were often continued on broader-spectrum empiric treatment.