Effect of an emergency department sepsis protocol on time to antibiotics in severe sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the time to antibiotics for emergency department (ED) patients meeting criteria for severe sepsis before and after the implementation of an ED sepsis protocol. Compliance with published guidelines for time to antibiotics and initial empiric therapy in sepsis was also assessed.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted. Emergency department patient encounters with International Classification of Diseases codes related to severe infections were screened during a 3-month period before and after the implementation of a sepsis protocol. Encounters meeting criteria for severe sepsis were further assessed. The time to initiation of antibiotics was determined as well as the initial choice of antimicrobial therapy based on the presumed source of infection.


RESULTS
We reviewed 213 unique ED patient encounters meeting criteria for severe sepsis. Analysis of the period before implementation showed a median time from the time criteria for severe sepsis were met to delivery of antibiotics of 163 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 124 to 210 min). Analysis of the period after implementation of the protocol revealed a median time of 79 minutes (95% CI 64 to 94 min), representing an overall reduction of 84 minutes (95% CI 42 to 126 min). Before the implementation of the protocol, 47% of patients received correct antibiotic coverage for the presumed source of infection in compliance with locally published guidelines. After the initiation of the protocol, 73% received appropriate initial antibiotics, for an overall improvement of 26%.


CONCLUSIONS
A guideline-based ED sepsis protocol for the evaluation and treatment of the septic patient appears to improve the time to administration of antibiotics as well as the appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy in patients with severe sepsis.
Francis
Marc
M
Department of Emergency Medicine, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. marc.francis@calgaryhealthregion.ca
Rich
Tom
T
Williamson
Tyler
T
Peterson
Daniel
D
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D036262:Empirical Research; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents