Tag Archives: Sepsis
Revised sepsis definitions are a scene changer!
These carefully wrought new definitions potentially revolutionise our approach and will provide greater diagnostic clarity for more rapid recognition and treatment. Highly relevant to all clinicians. Recommendations (JAMA current edition) Editorial and several other items of note (all free access) Sepsis should be defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. For […]
Maximising the value of blood cultures
Blood cultures give a critically important window on bacterial and fungal sepsis, providing direct patient treatment guidance and reliable antimicrobial susceptibility data that are used to construct cumulative antibiograms and empirical treatment guidelines. They also help to rule out serious bacterial infection, provided that collection occurs prior to antibiotic treatment and an adequate patient sample is taken. Here […]
Managing Paediatric Sepsis
Managing paediatric sepsis is difficult. Children require different drugs and doses and the typical pathogens vary across age groups. The team at the BMJ have put together a review of the management and treatment options for children, including neonates. Antibiotics are the only treatment of proven value in paediatric sepsis. Progression to organ failure and shock can be rapid […]
Updated blood culture collection protocols (CEC) including paediatric
For updated neonatal, paediatric and adult blood culture sampling guidelines, please see the CEC Sepsis Kills Resource page. If you have questions or comments about the process, please add them as comments and we will assemble a more comprehensive list of FAQ related to blood cultures and sepsis diagnosis.
AIMED - Let's talk about antibiotics 
Essential clinical care of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SAB)
Updated 8/5/20. A. Healthcare-associated events (2018, HNE LHD ) 60 healthcare-associated SAB cases occurred with 7% due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and age-adjusted 30 day mortality of 9%. SAB relapse within 15-90 days occurred in 2.1% of adult events 7% of paediatric events. Principle sites common: ● Vascular access device (e.g. intravenous cannula, central […]