Sepsis: the latest guidance on identification and management
- Ahmed, Faizah
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection. This article explores the role of assessment tools in sepsis identification, as well as the Sepsis Six strategy, which is used to treat the condition. One Sepsis Six intervention is the use of antibiotics; when used unnecessarily, these can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, so considering antimicrobial stewardship is an important aspect of sepsis management.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
In this article…
The definition, prevalence and causes of sepsis and septic shock
Which tools to use when assessing people with suspected sepsis
Treatment using the Sepsis Six and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship
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Key points
Sepsis is a lifethreatening condition caused by a dysregulated response to infection
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently updated its sepsis guidance
The National Early Warning Score 2, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score and the Red Flag Sepsis tools can be used to help identify sepsis
The Sepsis Six consists of six interventions that are necessary to treat sepsis
Antimicrobial stewardship is an essential consideration in sepsis management