title: Improving outcomes for severe sepsis and septic shock: tools for early identification of at-risk patients and treatment protocol implementation.
abstract: Sepsis is a significant problem, and septicemia is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Sepsis incidence is increasing, and the mortality rate is 20% to 50% for patients with severe sepsis. This article identifies methods for improving outcomes of severe sepsis and septic shock. Included are recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Case studies are included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Emanuel P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rivers
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahrens
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States