title: Sepsis in Obstetrics: Clinical Features and Early Warning Tools.
abstract: Morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis has gained widespread attention on a local, state, and national level, yet, it remains a complicated disorder that can be difficult to identify in a timely manner. Sepsis in obstetric patients further complicates the diagnosis as alterations in physiology related to pregnancy can mask sepsis indicators normally seen in the general population. If early signs of sepsis go unrecognized, septic shock can develop, leading to organ dysfunction and potential death. Maternal early warning tools have been designed to assist clinicians in recognizing early indications of illness. Through use of clinical pathway-specific tools, disease processes may be detected early, subsequently benefitting patients with aggressive treatment management and intervention.This article is the second in a series of three that discuss the importance of sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy. Risk factors, causes of sepsis, signs and symptoms, and maternal early warning tools are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sheryl E. Parfitt is a Clinical Educator, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ. The author can be reached via e-mail at sheryl.parfitt@honorhealth.com Mary L. Bogat is a Staff Nurse, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale; Clinical Instructor, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale and Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Sandra L. Hering is Informatics Support Specialist, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ. Charlotte Ottley is Clinical Director, HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ. Cheryl Roth is a Nurse Practitioner, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ.
authors.forename: Sheryl E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Parfitt
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bogat
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hering
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ottley
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*