title: Diagnosis and treatment of severe sepsis.
abstract: The burden of infection in industrialized countries has prompted considerable effort to improve the outcomes of patients with sepsis. This has been formalized through the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 'bundles', derived from the recommendations of 11 professional societies, which have promoted global improvement in those practices whose primary goal it is to reduce sepsis-related death. However, difficulties remain in implementing all of the procedures recommended by the experts, despite the apparent pragmatism of those procedures. We summarize the main proposals made by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and focus on the difficulties associated with making a proper diagnosis and supplying adequate treatment promptly to septic patients.
authors.affiliation: Pôle Réanimations-Urgences, Hôpital Cochin, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75679 Paris Cedex 14, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Yann-Erick
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Claessens
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dhainaut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011486:Protein C / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; C421124:drotrecogin alfa activated