title: Sepsis in Obstetrics: Treatment, Prognosis, and Prevention.
abstract: Sepsis during pregnancy is one of the five leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Early recognition and prompt treatment of maternal sepsis is necessary to improve patient outcomes. Patient education on practices that reduce infections may be helpful in decreasing rates of sepsis. Education of nurses about early signs and symptoms of sepsis in pregnancy and use of obstetric-specific tools can assist in timely identification and better outcomes. Although the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) criteria for diagnosis of sepsis in the general population are not pertinent for obstetric patients, their treatment bundles (guidelines) are applicable and can be used to guide care of obstetric patients who develop sepsis.This article is the third in a series of three that discuss the importance of sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy. This article includes case studies, treatment, prognosis, education, and prevention of maternal sepsis.
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. 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: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index